Meet the team

  • VEHANS AYVAZI

    VEHANS AYVAZI

    FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

    Head Coach: 12u Blue, 17u Blue

    Known to many as "Coach V", Vehans founded LA Select in 2011 and is the Program Director.

    Coach V grew up in Burbank, California and attended Burbank High School where he played basketball. With over 13 years of experience in coaching, Coach V continues to make a positive impact in the community through basketball.

    Coach V's leadership emphasizes not only the growth of players on the court but also fostering a sense of community and family within the program. His enduring impact and commitment to excellence makes Coach V an integral part of LA Select's legacy.

    Coach V is a huge Lakers fan and holds an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona, and attended Georgia Tech for graduate school. When not in a basketball gym you can find the father to two boys spending time with family.

  • YOUHANS AYVAZI

    YOUHANS AYVAZI

    MANAGER / COACH

    Head Coach: 12u White, 13u White

    Youhans Ayvazi has been an integral part of LA Select since 2013, bringing with him over a decade of coaching experience.

    A Burbank native, Coach Youhans attended and played basketball at Burbank High School before pursuing an undergraduate degree from Cal State Northridge. Over his years with LA Select, he has become known for his calm demeanor, patience, and commitment to fundamental skill development.

    Beyond the court, Coach Youhans is not just a coach; he is a mentor who values the importance of family and community. With a firm belief in the transformative power of basketball, Coach Youhans continues to shape the future of LA Select with his experience and passion for the game.

  • EDVIN HEMATSIRAKI

    EDVIN HEMATSIRAKI

    MANAGER / COACH

    Head Coach: 11u Blue, 13u Blue, 14u Blue, 16u White
    Assistant Coach: 17u Blue

    Edvin Hematsiraki, also known as Coach Ed, has deep roots in the LA Select family as he was a part of the original team started in 2011. His basketball journey began at LA Select at age 7 and continued through his high school years at Crescenta Valley High School, where he not only played the sport but developed a profound passion for the strategic aspects of it.

    Coach Ed is currently serving in his second season as the Varsity Assistant Coach at Crescenta Valley High School after coaching their Frosh/Soph team for two season.

    Coach Ed is also a Player Development Coach for the Armenia National Team, bringing valuable experience to LA Select.

    Since coming back to join the LA Select coaching staff in 2019, Coach Ed has been known for his fiery coaching style and a basketball IQ beyond his years. Coach Ed is not just a coach; he's a mentor and a friend to every player lucky enough to share the court with him.

  • RICHARD ELMOYAN

    RICHARD ELMOYAN

    COACH

    Head Coach: 12u Girls, 14u Girls Blue, 14u Girls White

    Richard Elmoyan, known to many as Coach Rich, joined LA Select in 2023, bringing with him a wealth of basketball expertise and a commitment to player development. Coach Rich, a former captain of the Armenia national basketball team (2015-2016), honed his skills at Burbank High School before playing at the NCAA Division II level and competing internationally.

    Coach Rich holds an undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and has coached at the high school level.

    Coach Rich goes beyond the title of coach; he becomes a mentor and friend to each player fortunate enough to share the court with him. His fiery coaching style injects passion into every practice and game, creating an environment that encourages both individual growth and team cohesion.

  • LEO TAHMASIAN

    COACH / TRAINER

    Assistant Coach: 12u Blue

    Leo Tahmasian is a cornerstone of the LA Select family, having been part of the original team since its inception in 2011. Leo's basketball journey began at LA Select and continued to Burbank High School, where he not only honed his skills on the court but developed a deep passion for the game. Currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at Cal State Northridge, Leo values education and continues to better himself.

    Since joining the LA Select coaching staff in 2019, Coach Leo has established himself as a player development specialist with a keen basketball mind. Known for his detail-oriented approach, Coach Leo pushes players to be the best versions of themselves. Beyond the title of coach, Leo is a mentor and a true players' coach, embodying the values of LA Select and contributing significantly to the program's continued success through the years.

  • ALEX SHABAZIAN

    ALEX SHABAZIAN

    COACH

    Head Coach: 10u Blue, 14u White
    Assistant Coach: 11u Blue, 13u Blue, 16u White

    Alex Shabazian, also known as Coach Shabaz, joined LA Select in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of basketball knowledge at the youth level and a genuine commitment to player development. Coach Shabaz isn’t just respected for his coaching abilities but also his incredible patience and his authentic connection with his players.

    Coach Shabaz graduated from Crescenta Valley High School, and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at Cal State Northridge.

    Recognized as a true players' coach, Coach Shabaz goes beyond the Xs and Os, forming genuine connections with his players. His dedication to player development and growth makes him a valuable asset to LA Select.

  • RUBEN KARAKULYAN

    COACH / TRAINER

    Coach Ruben has been an integral part of the LA Select family since 2011, having been involved with the original team. A product of Burbank High School, Coach Ruben's deep roots in the local basketball community are complemented by his genuine passion for the game. Joining LA Select's coaching staff in 2022, he has quickly become a cornerstone of the program.

    Currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at Cal State Northridge, Coach Ruben is a player development specialist with a particular strength and patience in working with younger players. Known for his genuine care for players, Coach Ruben is not just a coach but an incredible mentor and role model.

  • CHRIS ARZOUMANIAN

    CHRIS ARZOUMANIAN

    RECRUITING COORDINATOR, YOUTH / COACH

    Head Coach: 9u Blue, 11u White
    Assistant Coach: 17u Blue

    Chris Arzoumanian joined the LA Select coaching staff in 2023, bringing a profound commitment to player development and a strategic basketball mind.

    The Glendale native attended Crescenta Valley High School, where he played basketball, establishing a solid foundation for his coaching career. Graduating from Cal State Northridge in 2023, Coach Chris decided to go back to Crescenta Valley High School in his roles as the Frosh Assistant Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach.

    Coach Chris is not just a coach; he is a mentor who genuinely cares for his players, forming meaningful connections on and off the court. With his experience and dedication, he plays a key role in LA Select’s success, embodying the program’s commitment to excellence and holistic athlete development.

  • ANDREW AYVAZIAN

    ANDREW AYVAZIAN

    RECRUITING COORDINATOR, HIGH SCHOOL / COACH

    Head Coach: 13u Girls, 17u adidas Gold
    Assistant Coach: 14u Blue, 14u Girls Blue, 14u Girls White

    Andrew Ayvazian, known as Coach Drew, has been an invaluable addition to LA Select since joining in 2024.

    His coaching journey took root in 2018 when he began coaching at Chamlian Armenian School, where he was dedicated to coaching at the youth level. Additionally, Coach Drew extended his impact by volunteering at Homenetmen Azadamard, specializing in instilling the fundamentals.

    With a strong emphasis on X's and O's, Coach Drew currently serves as the Freshmen Head Coach at St. Francis High School, one of the top high school basketball programs in the country.

    Beyond the court, Andrew enjoys dedicating his free time to training and developing young athletes, immersing himself in studying basketball, and spending time with friends and family. With a foundation built on coaching experience and a passion for the game, Coach Drew continues to shape the future of LA Select, contributing to the program's commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

  • ALEXA MIRZAIAN

    DIRECTOR, JR HOOPS
    COACH / TRAINER

    Coach Alexa joined the LA Select coaching staff in 2022 as a trainer. Her basketball journey began at Crescenta Valley High School, where she honed her skills before playing college basketball at Glendale Community College. Coach Alexa furthered her education at Cal State Northridge for her undergraduate studies and pursued graduate school at Southern New Hampshire University.

    As a girls' basketball advocate, Coach Alexa goes beyond coaching, actively championing the growth and development of female athletes. Currently, Coach Alexa serves as the Girls Varsity Head Coach at Burbank High School, where she continues to make her mark in the basketball community.

    Coach Alexa also serves as a Women's Assistant Coach at Pasadena City College, bringing valuable experience to LA Select.

    Her coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive and growth-oriented environment. With a comprehensive understanding of the sport and a passion for cultivating excellence, Coach Alexa continues to play a pivotal role in the success of LA Select and Jr Hoops.

  • OSANNA TIRITYAN

    OSANNA TIRITYAN

    COACH

    Head Coach: 11u Girls

    Coming soon...

  • ARTEN YEGIKYAN

    ARTEN YEGIKYAN

    COACH

    Head Coach: 8u Blue, 10u White
    Assistant Coach: 11u Girls

    Coming soon...

  • ALEN BAHRAMJIAN

    COACH

    Assistant Coach: 9u Blue, 10u Blue

    Coming soon...

  • NICO ALBA

    NICO ALBA

    DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR

    Marketing Team

    Nico Alba, recognized for his remarkable photographic skills, has been an invaluable member of LA Select since joining in 2021 as the Digital Content Creator on the marketing team.

    Nico attended Burbank High School, earned his undergraduate degree at University of California Berkeley, and his graduate degree at Cal State Long Beach.

    Bringing a wealth of experience from his roles with the LA Clippers and Long Beach State, Nico has become the visual storyteller for LA Select. His ability to capture and immortalize the essence of LA Select's pivotal moments adds a unique dimension to the club's narrative. Through his lens, Nico contributes significantly to the program's image and continues to play a crucial role in showcasing the spirit and success of LA Select.

  • ANDY KARANDGANIAN

    ANDY KARANDGANIAN

    GRAPHIC DESIGNER

    Marketing Team

    Coming soon...

  • RAYA AYVAZI

    ADMINISTRATOR