Mulivai Levu’s Pickleball Passion: UCLA baseball player Mulivai Levu, 20, has found a second passion off the field—playing pickleball. The sophomore first baseman, known for his powerful bat, joins UCLA Club Pickleball practices whenever possible, balancing his baseball schedule with the fast-growing sport he picked up back home in Huntington Beach, California.
Balancing Baseball and Pickleball
Levu, a standout on the diamond with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs, and a .339 average in 2025, discovered pickleball years ago with friends in his neighborhood.
“I remember one of my best friend’s moms bought a net and four wooden paddles, like a starter kit, and we just put it on the street and we started playing, and then we all kind of got addicted to it. I started investing in new paddles and going to the courts to play better competition. That’s pretty much how it started, with a little net and paddles.” – (Levu)
His love for the game grew quickly.
“It took a lot of time from other things I used to do. I would just literally wake up at 6:00 a.m. and go play with the older guys in the morning, and then play with the younger guys at night. It was just every day. Then I started watching YouTube, watching the pros and watching tournaments, and that grew my interest in just wanting to get better at this sport.” – (Levu)
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A Competitive Spirit on the Court
Levu used his natural competitiveness to improve fast.
“I’m really competitive, so getting beat all the time as a beginner kind of encouraged me to play more so I could hang with people that were actually good. The competitiveness in me just told me to play more, and at the same time, I was having a lot of fun. Pickleball took my mind off a lot of things. Even when I wasn’t playing baseball, I’d just go do something active, and pickleball was the thing to do.” – (Levu)
In fall 2024, Levu decided to join the UCLA Club Pickleball team. Though he can’t compete in tournaments yet due to his baseball schedule, he shows up whenever possible.
“At the end of October, I had baseball practices that ended early enough for me to rush over there. I would just come straight from practice, literally in my jersey and hat, and then shorts and tennis shoes, and I would drill with them. I would just try and make it any chance I got. Obviously, it’s hard right now with the season and us traveling where I can’t be there every day, but if we do finish early in baseball, then I’m on my way over there.” – (Levu)
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A Unique Style and Clear Influence
Levu’s style of play is inspired by pros JW Johnson and James Ignatowich. He enjoys challenging serious players and adds a bit of flair to his game.
“I think my favorite thing is playing against people who take it very seriously, like to the max. I like getting under people’s skin on the court, but at the same time, I’m also trying to have fun. If I’m playing someone who takes it beyond serious, I’m like – ‘We’ll have some fun with this’ – but normally I just play for fun.” – (Levu)
“As a player, I like to be sneaky, so my opponents don’t know my next move or where the ball is going to go. I think ball placement in pickleball is my biggest thing, just placing it where it needs to be, where my opponent’s not at. When I say sneaky, I mean turning my head as if I’m hitting it the other way, but my paddle’s going the opposite direction.” – (Levu)
Levu also credits pickleball with helping him succeed in baseball.
“Pickleball helps a lot with hand-eye coordination, having that quick twitch and reaction. I’m so used to seeing 90+ mph fastballs and reacting to them, so it’s somewhat natural when I’m in the kitchen and having a firefight. It translates a lot with my wrists, too.” – (Levu)
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Looking Ahead at Two Sports
Though baseball is his top priority, Levu hasn’t ruled out a future in pickleball.
“Ever since I started playing and got into it, I’m going to put pickleball as my ‘Plan B’ in case baseball doesn’t work out. But say I retire and still got some gas left in the tank, I wouldn’t mind trying to go pro in pickle. Baseball is obviously my priority and that’s my goal, but pickleball is just a lot of fun and I love it.” – (Levu)
Levu’s dedication to both sports shows how passion and discipline can help athletes find balance. Whether on the field or the court, he’s giving it his all—and having fun while doing it.
News in Brief: Mulivai Levu’s Pickleball Passion
UCLA baseball star Mulivai Levu plays pickleball in his free time, practicing with UCLA Club Pickleball whenever possible. The 20-year-old first baseman says the sport helps his hand-eye coordination at the plate. Though baseball comes first, Levu calls pickleball his “Plan B” and wouldn’t mind going pro someday.
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