Dowen Del Rosario loves the sport of basketball. However right when he wants to give up on his dreams, Stephen Curry gives him a visit, and his world changes. 

No Struggle No Growth

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Was it easy? No. Did he win all the time? No. Did he want to give up? No.

Because he didn't want to give up on his dream. Stephen Curry inspired him to persevere through struggles. He wasn't going to rest until he made it to the NBA

Fast forward to Dowen in high school, he grew to become a great player and threat on the court. He even challenged the bullies that told him he would never be great at basketball, and won without losing a single point. 

1. Youtube Videos: a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U69E64byTDo&amp;ab_channel=Ball_Motivation b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Phy3IwxiVE&amp;ab_channel=orangino 2. Images: Pixabay.com Terada, Kyle "Stephen Curry Wears Kobe Bryant"s jersey to Chase Center," USA Today Sports, 2020 Synowiez, Andrew "Stephen Curry: Underrated" USA Today Sports, 2016

Dowen took those last words to heart. He got inspired to train. He woke up early to practice shots before and after school. Put hours in the gym to build his muscles. Ran laps to build endurance and speed. Played against anyone to improve his game and practice his skills and fundamentals. He was strengthening his body and mind physically and mentally.

This is the story of San Francisco Native: Dowen Del Rosario, who dreams of playing basketball one day in the NBA. However, his small size makes him a target for humiliation and rejection on the court. Right when he wants to give up on his dreams, he runs into someone who changes his world upside down. He makes changes in his lifestyle and work ethic, and sooner or later, people are taking back their words and regret making fun of him back when he was younger.

One thing to know about Dowen was that he was the smallest kid in his entire 5th grade class and has always been. He was going to be playing with some really tall guys.

He wanted to take his skills to the next level, and played high school and college basketball. Still, he was the shortest guy on the team at University of Nevada Reno. But, he was also the best, who kept working and grinding through the struggles. Through every struggle however, he would grow, grow enough to be drafted for the NBA. Stephen Curry would play his last season with Dowen's first year, and the first thing they said to each other after that exchange at the park was "no struggle, no growth."

He runs into his idol: Stephen Curry, Point Guard for the Golden State Warriors and 3x NBA champion. And they start talking. What's wrong little dude? Stephen Curry asks. "These boys say I'm too small to ever play basketball. They were mean to me, hurt my feelings, and now I don't ever want to play basketball again." Stephen Curry laughs and responds with: Story of my life. Look, I use rejections and failures as motivation to achieve success and greatness little man. Listen, Do you wanna prove those guys wrong? Then do it.

As soon as the clock hit 3, Dowen rushed from school and headed to the local park. He changed in the backroom and put on his basketball shorts, shirt, and sneakers. What was going on the park you may ask? Dowen would be playing basketball.

Easier said than done. It's not gonna be easy. For someone you're height, you gotta improve on your shot, your handles, your quickness. It's not gonna be easy. But, remember, no struggle, no growth." The more you struggle, the more determined you are to get to where you want to be."

E60 Longshot: Stephen Curry Full Documentary Segment HD

Warriors Draft Stephen Curry

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Dowen walks home sad. His dreams of playing basketball are crushed. He refused to watch it, play it, or think about it ever again. All because some boys were telling him is too small. He sits on a bench with his teary eyes in his hands.

All of a sudden he feels someone touch his shoulders, and looks up and the tears started to vanish.

"Hey guys. I'm ready to play."- Dowen says to his "friends", but they all tease him, telling him to go away.

"Shouldn't you be in the sandbox Dowen? No way is a kid small like you ever gonna be good enough to play with the big boys."