About LBE

Laguna Beach Elite is a youth sports organization founded in 2023 by former Laguna Beach High School Alumni players.

LBE was organized to help promote basketball in Laguna Beach and create a basketball community that will develop over the years. We are just getting started but our aim is to combine first-class training, camps, club teams, and seasonal recreational leagues. Laguna Beach Elite aims to offer everything your child needs to become a better basketball player and have fun while developing their basketball skills and knowledge of the game.

The main goal of LBE is to provide a safe and fun environment for our youth and to prepare them for the next level. Collaborating closely with the high school program presents a valuable opportunity for players to establish a sense of belonging and camaraderie, fostering friendships and building team chemistry as they progress through the academic system together.

Coaching Staff

  • Ruslan Soobzokov

    Head Coach

    Head Coach of Laguna Beach High School

    Coach Rus is a 1994 Laguna Beach graduate and where he played for and coached with former legendary Head Coach Bret Fleming for a combined 15+ years.

    Playing career after high school includes Irvine Valley College and California State University, Stanislaus.

    Coaching career started at UNLV as a manager of the team that won the 1997-98 WAC Championship. Rus also coached professional basketball for 5 years in Jordan helping the country qualify for the 2010 World Cup for the first time in history.

  • Norman Nolan

    Head Coach of LBE Programs
    Norman Nolan is a retired professional basketball player with over 20 years of competitive experience at the top international and collegiate levels. Hailing from Baltimore, MD, where he played at the nationally recognized basketball powerhouse Dunbar High School, Norm was a three-time Maryland State Champion, Maryland Player of the Year and a McDonald’s and Parade All-American, amongst a host of other high school accolades. He played college basketball at the University of Virginia, where he remains one of the top five players in school history in double-doubles and was an All-ACC team selection. He served as one of the team's co-captains his senior year, while accumulating one of the best single seasons in school history. After college and short stints with the NBA, Norm went on to play 15 years internationally in Italy, Spain, and Greece along with several other appearances throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. As a pro he won two championships and was named to several 1st team all-league teams and voted to many all-star games. Norm retired from playing in 2013, and has since dedicated himself to improving the culture that surrounds youth basketball, as well as mentoring and advising those seeking the same career path as his. In March 2016, Norm was recognized and inducted as an ACC Tournament Legend class of 2016, to highlight his accomplished career.

  • Jack Taylor

    Assistant Coach & Head Agility Coach

    In High School Jack was named most improved in his freshman year. He earned MVP honors at the city tournament in his sophomore season and averaged 10 points and three assists as a junior. Jack was picked most improved after averaging 15.7 points, 6.2 assists and four steals as a senior. He scored 18 points in the second half of a 49-47 win at the district finals. He was also chosen as the county all-star game MVP.

    Collegiate career includes playing at Irvine Valley College before earning a scholarship to play at the University of Providence in Montana, earning his degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology with a focus on strength and conditioning.

    Jack is currently the assistant coach at Laguna Beach High School.

  • Enver Soobzokov

    Coach and LBE Administrator
    A Laguna Beach native, Enver is currently an Assistant Coach at Irvine Valley College. After playing for Laguna Beach High School, Enver played collegiate basketball at Irvine Valley College, Cal State Stanislaus and Cal State San Bernardino.

    Following his collegiate years, he played professionally in Jordan helping the country qualify for the first time in history for the World Cup in 2010. He also participated and won multiple Jordan League titles, Asia Club and Arab Championships.

    Enver has served as an NBA Scout from 2012-2018 with the LA Clippers overseeing top prospects in the G League for several seasons. In 2019 he worked with the Phoenix Suns scouting the NCAA, international and G league prospects. Enver has also served as the Head Assistant Coach on the Jordanian National Team for the FIBA World Cup Qualifications in 2018.

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