Club Teams in Newport Beach

Why Choose Lamont Smith Basketball Academy

Lamont Smith Basketball Academy offers premier youth basketball club teams in Newport Beach. We deliver elite basketball training through our structured approach, professional coaching staff, and proven developmental system that has produced exceptional results for players of all skill levels. LSBA provides comprehensive basketball development programs in Newport Beach, utilizing Coach Smith’s 20+ years of Division I coaching experience to teach fundamentals in a repetitious manner with meticulous attention to detail.

Our academy stands apart through Coach Smith’s extensive Division I collegiate coaching background, which includes three years as head coach at the University of San Diego, where he led the team to 42 wins and a postseason appearance. His defensive expertise and player development skills have produced 6 NBA players and 54 All-Conference selections throughout his career. At LSBA, we apply this high-level coaching knowledge to youth development, creating a unique training environment unmatched in Newport Beach.

Age-Specific Development Programs for Newport Beach Youth

Our competitive club teams are specifically designed for 10U to 14U players in Newport Beach, providing developmentally appropriate training that builds strong foundations. We understand that players at different ages require tailored approaches to maximize their development potential. Our 10U program focuses on building fundamental movement skills, basic basketball techniques, and fostering a love for the game in a fun, engaging environment at the Newport Beach Tennis Club and other premier facilities.

For our 11U-12U players, we introduce more advanced concepts while continuing to reinforce proper fundamentals. Training sessions incorporate more complex drills and begin introducing tactical elements of team play. Players at this age benefit from our structured approach that balances skill development with competitive gameplay experiences designed to apply those skills in realistic situations.

Our 13U-14U teams experience training that prepares them for the transition to high school basketball. We intensify the focus on basketball IQ, decision-making, and position-specific skills while maintaining our commitment to fundamental development. These age-specific programs ensure that each player receives training appropriate for their developmental stage, maximizing their potential growth as athletes and as people.

Division I Coaching Expertise at Newport Beach Facilities

Benefit from Coach Smith’s 20+ years of Division I collegiate experience, including his proven track record of developing 6 NBA players and 54 All-Conference selections. This elite coaching knowledge is now available to youth players in Newport Beach through our club teams program. Coach Smith brings the same attention to detail and structured approach that made him successful at the highest levels of college basketball to our youth development programs.

Our coaching staff has been personally trained by Coach Smith in his developmental methodology, ensuring consistent, high-quality instruction across all teams and age groups. This creates a seamless developmental pathway for players as they progress through our program. The coaching techniques utilized in our Newport Beach club teams are the same ones that helped Coach Smith’s University of San Diego team rank 41st nationally in points allowed per game, 5th in 3PT FG% defense, and 46th in field-goal percentage defense.

Training with coaches who understand basketball at an elite level provides our players with advantages that extend beyond basic skill development. Our coaches teach the “why” behind the “how,” helping players develop basketball IQ and decision-making abilities alongside their physical skills. This comprehensive approach to player development distinguishes LSBA from other basketball programs in Newport Beach and throughout Orange County.

Character Development Through Newport Beach Basketball Training

We integrate discipline, accountability, teamwork, and sportsmanship into every practice at our Newport Beach locations, developing well-rounded athletes. Our approach to basketball training extends beyond the court, using the sport as a vehicle for teaching valuable life lessons that will benefit players in all aspects of their lives. The structured environment of our club teams program naturally reinforces these character traits through consistent expectations and positive reinforcement.

Discipline is cultivated through our structured practice plans and emphasis on proper technique. Players learn that success comes through consistent effort and attention to detail, not shortcuts. Accountability is built into our team culture, with players learning to take responsibility for their actions, their role within the team, and their individual development journey. This creates self-motivated athletes who understand the connection between their efforts and their results.

Teamwork and sportsmanship are foundational elements of our program philosophy. While we develop individual skills, we emphasize that basketball is ultimately a team sport that requires cooperation, communication, and respect. Players learn to celebrate team success above individual accomplishments and to compete with integrity, regardless of the score. These values make our players not just better athletes, but better people who will carry these lessons into all aspects of their lives.

Fundamental Skill Development with Newport Beach’s Elite Basketball Program

Master basketball fundamentals through our structured, repetitious approach with meticulous attention to detail – the cornerstone of our Newport Beach training philosophy. We believe that proper fundamentals are the foundation upon which all advanced skills are built, and we dedicate significant training time to ensuring our players develop these fundamentals correctly from the beginning. Our methodology emphasizes “reps done right” rather than simply accumulating practice time.

Our fundamental skill development program addresses all aspects of basketball performance. Footwork training focuses on proper stance, balance, and movement patterns that create efficiency and effectiveness in all basketball movements. Ball-handling development progresses from basic control drills to advanced moves that create advantages against defenders. Shooting instruction breaks down the mechanics of proper form, with age-appropriate progressions that build consistent, repeatable shooting techniques.

Defensive fundamentals receive equal attention in our program, reflecting Coach Smith’s background as a defensive specialist. Players learn proper positioning, footwork, and techniques for guarding the ball and providing help defense. As skills develop, we integrate these fundamentals into competitive situations that teach players how to apply them effectively in games. This comprehensive approach ensures well-rounded players who understand all aspects of basketball performance.

Small Group Training at Newport Beach Tennis Club

Our limited team sizes ensure personalized attention and individualized development plans for each player in our Newport Beach training facilities. We intentionally maintain smaller roster sizes than many club programs to maximize the coaching contact time each player receives. This approach allows our coaches to identify specific areas for improvement for each athlete and provide targeted instruction to address those needs.

Training sessions at premier Newport Beach facilities, including the Newport Beach Tennis Club, provide the perfect environment for skill development. Our small group approach allows coaches to provide immediate feedback and correction, preventing the development of bad habits that can be difficult to correct later. Players benefit from more repetitions in drills and more opportunities to apply skills in competitive situations.

The personalized attention in our small group training extends to individualized development plans for each player. Coaches regularly evaluate player progress and adjust training emphases to address specific needs. This customized approach ensures that each player develops at their optimal pace, focusing on the areas that will most benefit their overall game. Parents receive regular updates on their child’s progress and areas of focus, creating a collaborative development environment.

Join Newport Beach’s Most Successful Youth Basketball Program

Don’t miss your opportunity to train with the coaching staff that’s developing Newport Beach’s next generation of basketball standouts. Our club teams program has established itself as a premier destination for serious young basketball players in Orange County, with a track record of developing skilled, fundamentally sound athletes who excel at the next level of competition. Spaces in our program are limited due to our commitment to small group sizes and personalized attention.

The success of our Newport Beach club teams comes from our unique combination of Division I coaching expertise, structured developmental approach, emphasis on fundamentals, and character development. This comprehensive methodology creates well-rounded players who understand the game at a deeper level than their peers and possess the skills to execute effectively in competitive situations. Many of our former players have gone on to success at the high school level and beyond.

Joining the Lamont Smith Basketball Academy club teams program means becoming part of a basketball community dedicated to excellence both on and off the court. Players develop friendships with teammates who share their passion for improvement, creating a positive peer group that reinforces the values of hard work and dedication. Parents become part of a supportive network that understands the developmental journey of young athletes and celebrates the growth of all players in the program.

About Us

Lamont Smith Basketball Academy was founded in 2019 by Coach Lamont Smith, bringing his extensive Division I coaching experience to youth basketball development. Coach Smith’s impressive background includes serving as head coach at the University of San Diego, where he led the team to 42 wins over three seasons, including a 20-win season and postseason tournament appearance in 2018. His assistant coaching experience spans prestigious programs, including the University of Texas at El Paso, University of New Mexico, University of Washington, Arizona State University, Santa Clara University, St. Mary’s College, and St. Louis University.

As a player, Coach Smith was a standout at the University of San Diego, serving as team captain and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors twice, along with the Leadership Award. He brings this playing experience, combined with over 20 years of Division I coaching, to every aspect of the LSBA program. His coaching philosophy emphasizes meticulous attention to detail, fundamental skill development, and a structured approach to player improvement.

The academy serves players throughout San Diego and Orange County, including our Newport Beach club teams program. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including competitive club teams, camps, consulting, group workouts, 1-on-1 private sessions, and foundation programs. All of our offerings share the core LSBA philosophy of teaching fundamentals in a repetitious manner with attention to detail and structure, creating consistent development for players of all ages and skill levels.

All About Newport Beach

Newport Beach is an affluent coastal city in Orange County, California, known for its large harbor, pristine beaches, and upscale shopping. The city features a semi-arid climate with mild temperatures year-round. Newport Beach is famous for its beautiful coastline, luxury real estate, and recreational activities, including surfing, sailing, and fishing. The city combines natural beauty with sophisticated amenities, making it a popular destination for both tourists and residents seeking an upscale coastal lifestyle.

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