Stephen Curry, a two-time Kia NBA MVP and three-time NBA champion, recently concluded his inaugural Underrated Tour with a stop in Tokyo. The tour, which started in January of this year and is powered by Rakuten, aims to provide overlooked high school basketball players with an opportunity to enhance their skills, gain exposure, and develop a deeper understanding of the game.
Curry’s own journey serves as a source of inspiration for underdog athletes worldwide. Despite being considered “undersized” and lacking top-tier athleticism in high school, Curry was under-recruited by prominent U.S. colleges. However, he defied expectations and became one of the top players of his generation.
Now, a decade into his successful professional career, Curry introduced the Underrated Tour to offer the next generation of under-the-radar high school prospects a chance to shine.
Tokyo marked the final stop of this year’s tour and the first outside of the United States. The camp took place at the scenic campus of International Christian University in western Tokyo, where participants arrived early Saturday morning to find a state-of-the-art gym adorned with visuals from the Underrated Tour, Under Armour, and Rakuten. The energetic atmosphere was further enhanced by a live DJ, setting the tone for an engaging and memorable experience for all involved.
A large gathering of fans and spectators gathered for the two-day Underrated Tour camp, eager to witness the upcoming talent. The initial day of the camp consisted of about 100 talented high school aspirants who were carefully chosen. Divided into teams, these young athletes played their hearts out under the watchful gaze of 12 local basketball coaches. The coaches collaborated to select a group of 30 individuals who would advance to day two, where the stakes would be even higher.
To add a touch of excitement, Stephen Curry himself graced the court on Sunday to personally coach the players during the final rounds of scrimmage. This was a tremendous opportunity for these aspiring athletes to receive guidance from one of the greatest basketball players of our time. After the intense practice sessions, a championship game was organized. It served as a platform for the participants to showcase all they had learned and honed throughout the entire weekend.
This event was not just about competition and winning, but also about giving these youngsters a chance to grow and refine their skills. The presence of Stephen Curry as a mentor and coach exemplified the purpose of the camp: to discover and nurture the next generation of basketball stars. It was a memorable experience, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved.
Curry enthusiastically exchanges high-fives with a talented 15-year-old student named Noa Gustavson, hailing from Yokohama International School.
“This incredible journey was crafted with the intention of discovering the next version of myself. Back in high school, I was a three-star recruit, someone who tended to be overlooked,” Curry shared with the assembled crowd of reporters and TV cameras. “All I wanted was a chance to showcase my true abilities. And that’s precisely what this mission is all about.”
The venue was adorned with a visually appealing “three-star” decor, which served as a representation of Curry’s early days as a basketball player who was underrated. Curry expressed admiration for the participants, acknowledging their high level of talent, competitiveness, and athleticism. He was genuinely impressed, as the players’ eyes lit up when they received guidance and knowledge from him.
Curry praised the exceptional talent of the local participants at an event he attended in Japan. During his visit, Curry expressed his enthusiasm for potentially returning to Japan in 2020 to participate in the Olympics. He acknowledged that the energy at the Olympics would be amazing and highlighted the difference in experience compared to representing his country in the World Cup. The media present were eager to hear Curry’s thoughts on Rui Hachimura, the first Japanese player to be drafted in the first round of the NBA. Curry commended Hachimura’s skills and basketball IQ, noting the significance of having representation from Japan and other countries in the NBA. He applauded Hachimura for being a trailblazer and acknowledged the global growth of basketball, particularly in Japan.
In addition, Rakuten Chairman and CEO, Mickey Mikitani, spoke to the media gathered at the gym, reflecting on the underestimated nature of Rakuten as a company. Mikitani shared that when Rakuten started 22 years ago, they did not receive significant funding from Silicon Valley. However, Rakuten has since built itself into a successful company and has become the team sponsor for renowned organizations like the Golden State Warriors and FC Barcelona.
Mikitani presented Curry with a personalized FC Barcelona jersey moments before the media session on Sunday, June 23rd.
“The true essence of the Underrated Tour lies within all the players who joined the camp this weekend,” Mikitani added. “Never give up, regardless of what happens, and always believe in yourself.”
Basketball should be enjoyable
Curry concluded the day’s coaching with some advice for the “underrated” athletes.
“I was always the smallest kid on my team, so I can certainly relate to the challenges of overcoming physical differences on the court,” he said. “But if you prepare yourself to excel in various aspects of basketball, to possess versatility… to have self-assurance — that’s the most important thing. No one can dictate what you can or cannot achieve. No one can determine your worth based on your size.”
The arena was filled with the vibrant colors of the Under Armour Curry 6 Basketball Shoes, specifically the rocket red and neon green ‘Roaracle’ colorway, which were available for purchase on Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten SPORTS ZONE as part of a new partnership with the brand. While the shoes caught everyone’s attention, the most crucial message of the day revolved around playing with joy. According to the speaker, having a sense of inspiration and maintaining that joy throughout the challenges of hard work is what ultimately leads to success. Regardless of the circumstances, holding onto that joy puts individuals in a more advantageous position.
On the second day of the camp, Curry enjoyed spending time with fellow coaches and players.
