Coach Zay’s basketball journey began with early promise and relentless determination.
In middle school, he was named All-County and MVP both years, setting the tone for what would become a standout playing career. Even as nagging knee injuries began before high school, his love for the game never wavered. He went on to start as a varsity player at two Forsyth County high schools and, after arthroscopic knee surgery before his senior season, earned 1st Team All-Region (5-7A), 1st Team All-Tournament, and South Forsyth High School MVP honors.

Zay’s passion for teaching came from his own struggle.
Playing through pain taught him that performance is not just physical—it’s mental. That realization became the foundation for his coaching philosophy: teaching young athletes how to take care of both their bodies and their minds.

Today, Coach Zay uses basketball as a tool to teach life lessons—accountability, respect, communication, organization, and teamwork. Whether he’s coaching ball handling, body control, or mindfulness, his mission is to help every player build habits that last beyond the court.

He sees himself not just as a trainer, but as a teacher of the game that teaches life. His goal is to give young athletes what he once needed most: guidance, detailed instruction, and confidence to reach their full potential—mentally and physically—in a fun, empowering environment.