Derek L. Anderson Sr.

Derek L. Anderson Sr was born in Louisville Ky in 1973. Abandoned by his parents at the age of 10, he would find himself sleeping in empty apartment buildings, old school buses, and even his high school gymnasium. He would become a single parent at age 15, work two jobs, but stayed focused enough to graduate with a 3.7GPA as Class President. Derek believed that living in poverty was just a mind set and even at a young age he believed that winning was a choice, as well as losing. He would earn a full scholarship to The Ohio State University and then transfer to the University of Kentucky, where he won the NCAA Championship in 1996. Derek was drafted as the 13th pick in the 1997 NBA draft and became the 1st player signed to the Michael Jordan Brand and was given his own signature shoe. With his first check from the NBA, he started his own company, DA Enterprises and then established The Derek Anderson Foundation. The Foundation supplies resources for abused and battered women and children who are without guidance. His first event would raise money to send 4 high school students to college and as of 2013, the Foundation has sponsored and watched over 30 students graduate from college. In 2006, Derek won a World Title with the Miami Heat, becoming 1 of 13 players to win an NCAA and NBA championship. After an eleven year NBA career he would retire in 2008. After retirement, he expanded his business life and opened two hotels in Turks & Caicos, his own film studio (Loyalty Media Group), and began writing novels and screenplays. In 2010, Derek produced and directed the documentary "The Untouchables of Kentucky." After not seeing his parents for more than 24 years, he went to find them both. Derek found his father and 10 months later he lost his battle with cancer. That same year, he found his mother in the back of an alley hooked on drugs. He helped get her cleaned up and years later; they finally had their first Christmas dinner together in over 28 years. These life events inspired Derek to write his autobiography and screenplay entitled, Stamina. He is now traveling the world domestically and abroad sharing life nuggets on how to stay on the right path while walking on a rough road. Derek's message is to "Never Allow Someone's Opinion of You To Become Your Reality."