After his epic 50-point outburst on Tuesday, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard shared what he's been through to develop his killer mindset.

Speaking with NBA on TNT host Dwyane Wade after their win one-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Lillard opened up about his journey from a not-so-promising middle school player to one of the best players in the NBA. His career trajectory has aided Lillard in overcoming all the challenges that the NBA has had to offer (via ESPN).

“I wasn’t a highly touted middle school player, high school player or college player. I had to do my work behind the scenes, like you did, I had to earn my way. And I didn’t know that I was going to ever get the credit for it or ever get the results for it. So, I know what it’s like to be unknown and you know, not have the lights on you, and to want to be seen, and want a scholarship to a big school and things like that.”

Lillard added he never stopped pushing himself.

“I was behind the scenes doing the work. So, I don’t forget those steps that it took for me to get here.”

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It's definitely an inspiring story from the six-time All-Star. Though he's widely popular now, little is really known about his past. All we know that Lillard is one of the deadliest gunners in history.

Most fans aren't fully aware how much work Lillard had to put in to be noticed as he starred for relatively unheralded Weber State in college before getting selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Even if he wasn't a highly touted prospect, this didn't demotivate Damian Lillard. In fact, this fueled the fire in him even more.