Ahead of Worlds in Dallas, Major League Pickleball hosted its final event of the year: the MLP Cup. All Premier Level and Challenger Level teams from the regular season competed in pool play, leading into a single-elimination bracket. In addition to the teams that had been competing all season, an All-Star College Team featuring Selkirk-sponsored Utah Tech University and an All-Star Junior Team led by 14-year-old phenom Tama Shimabukuro made their debuts.
Shimabukuro Captures Attention from Pros in MLP
The 14-year-old from Hawai‘i is no stranger to headlines in the pro scene. In his last PPA tournament, Shimabukuro and 16-year-old Andre Mercado took down seasoned players Chris Haworth and Armaan Bhatia. This weekend, Tama’s athleticism and strategic playmaking were on full display in his MLP debut.
After the All-Star Junior Team leveled their match against the Bay Area Breakers (MLP Challenger Level), Shimabukuro headlined in the Dreambreaker, facing tour veteran DJ Young. Covering every corner of the court with speed and precision, Tama delivered an electric performance that captured the attention of fans and pro players alike.
Although the All-Star Junior Team did not end up winning the match, Shimabukuro proved to be a star in the making that will be a valuable addition to any MLP team next season.
