Our Team
Tim Anderson
Founder - President
ANDERSON was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He attended Crane High School where he played with and against some of the city's best talent including his brother and teammate Will Bynum. Anderson has always had a talent for increasing skill development in others.
Following graduation, Anderson went on to play in college at Division II Oklahoma Panhandle State University. After college, he played semi pro, coached one season at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and soon returned home where he coached one year at Malcolm X Community College. Anderson later became the boys basketball head coach at Crane High School. He led his team to three straight IHSA appearances including two Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite 8 appearance. Coach Anderson has a very enthused and intense coaching style and is well respected throughout the country for his ability to recruit, train and develop basketball skills. He currently coaches at the University of Illinois where he bolstered the team to a 23-10 season.
During the summer, Tim works with a variety of pro athletes including Jabari Parker, Will Bynum, Derrick Rose, and many others. In the past few years alone, he has trained multiple 1st round NBA Draft selections and NBA All-Stars. Recognizing how unique and efficient his style of training was, he desired to expand his training to more athletes on all levels of the game.
Anderson served on the men’s basketball staff at DePaul University for four seasons from 2017-2021 where he worked closely with Miami Heat Max Strus and Philadelphia 76ers Paul Reed among other DePaul players. Through Ground Zero Training his training techniques can now be seen by athletes at all levels around the world.
“You're talking about someone who is an industry leader in player development, as evidenced by many of the world's top players selecting Ground Zero Training as the place to perfect their game.” - Brad Underwood, Head Coach, University of Illinois
Andrew Choi
Co-Founder - Director of Youth Development
CHOI was born and raised in Appleton, WI. He attended DePaul University where he studied Elementary Education and received his teaching license. While at DePaul he served as a manager for four years under Coach Oliver Purnell and Coach Dave Leitao.
He continued on his journey at DePaul as a Graduate Assistant, receiving a master's degree in Business Entrepreneurship. In the program, Choi’s responsibilities included Nike gear orders, meal planning, and player development during the six years he was at DePaul. He was large part of the daily operations of the program, learning and growing every day.
During this time, he built a close relationship with Miami Heat guard Max Strus, particularly during his first year at DePaul, when he had to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules. He developed a pregame routine and spent countless hours in the gym with him working on game-like scenarios and making game like shots. Choi became an intricate part of his development during the years he was there. He continues to work with Strus over the summers when he is back in Chicago.
Choi also helped out with NBA pre-draft workouts and pro days with Coach Anderson working directly under Coach Anderson since 2017. He works with all athletes, but he specializes in application. Big questions he asks you is, “will this translate to the game and how?” He loves working with the youth and getting them to understand that training is about giving you the tools to be successful. It’s about you being able to think for yourself.
He is currently a 4th grade teacher at William H Ryder Elementary School.
Sam McWherter
Director of Professional Development
MCWHEATER grew up on the northside of Chicago. Attended Carl Schurz High School, where he then went on to play at Malcolm X Community College.
Though hard work and determination he continued to play professionally from 2005-2012, including Mexico and Italy.
After playing he became an assistant with Founder Tim Anderson at Crane High School where he helped develop their on court and off court habits.
He started his own training program Fantastic Workouts in 2014 to give back the knowledge He focuses on developing good habits that will carry over to the professional setting.
McWherter was also a Assistant Varsity and Head JV coach at Carl Schurz High school from 2015-19.
Currently works with kids all ages, but specializes players with strong foundations to build upon footwork, ball placement and posture at Ground Zero Training.
Kurinus “KJ” Lett
Trainer
LETT was born in Moss Point, MS. He was raised in Manassas, Va. and played JUCO basketball at CCBC Catonsville in Baltimore Maryland. He then received a scholarship to play for Robert Morris University Chicago.
Thanks to his extensive training experiences, KJ has worked with numerous AAU programs in Virginia, as well as coordinated basketball clinics for the Chicago Sky of the WNBA while a member of their sponsorship department. Additionally, he has also coached at the Puma TBT mini basketball camp and at the 2019 Derrick Rose basketball Summer camp.
Currently, KJ is a skills developer for Ground Zero, where he works with both pros and athletes of all ages to refine their basketball craft.