The auction draft for the 2026 Major League Pickleball season has just ended, completing the rosters for all 20 Premier Level teams, each now composed of six players. This year’s draft introduced notable changes compared to last season, marking a significant reshuffle across the league’s teams.
Top Selections and Emerging Young Talent
Among the most significant picks were several rising juniors who made it into the top 20 selections, signaling a promising future for the sport. These included Tama Shimabukuro, chosen ninth by the Utah Black Diamonds with a $125,000 bid; Kiora Kunimoto, picked fifteenth by the California Black Bears for $45,000; Cam Chaffin, selected sixteenth by the Phoenix Flames at $35,000; and Will MacKinnon, seventeenth overall by the SoCal Hard Eights for $40,000. This infusion of young talent adds new energy and competition to the league.
Player Reactions Highlight Tensions and Expectations
As the draft unfolded, players and fans shared their immediate reactions across social media, reflecting a mix of excitement and pressure. Anna Bright expressed the weight of expectations with the message,
“i am going to feel pressure to play like GOD,”
while also noting a player’s great value:
“CHEAP DATE EXPENSIVE AS F*** TO HAVE ON YOUR MLP TEAM.”
Alex Crum conveyed enthusiasm with a simple, “Omg….LETS GOOOO!!!!!!!!!” These posts underline the high stakes and emotional intensity surrounding the draft for both veterans and newcomers.
Implications for the 2026 Major League Pickleball Season
The draft results set the stage for a competitive and unpredictable 2026 season, as teams with revamped lineups prepare to clash. The integration of talented juniors such as Shimabukuro, Kunimoto, Chaffin, and MacKinnon could reshape team dynamics and challenge established players like Anna Bright and Alex Crum. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these picks influence the league’s balance of power and the overall quality of play moving forward.
i am going to feel pressure to play like GOD
— Anna Bright (@annabright108) February 27, 2026
Top 10 Picks #MLP2026Draft
#1 Anna Bright, St. Louis Shock, $1,230,000
#2 Jorja Johnson, New Jersey 5s, $800,000
#3 Danni-Elle Townsend, Columbus Sliders, $180,000
#4 Lea Jansen, Texas Ranchers, $105,000
#5 Jamie Wei, Chicago Slice, $75,000
#6 Mari Humberg, Chicago Slice,…— Alex E. Weaver (@alexeweaver) February 27, 2026
CHEAP DATE EXPENSIVE AS F*** TO HAVE ON YOUR MLP TEAM
— Anna Bright (@annabright108) February 27, 2026
Omg….LETS GOOOO!!!!!!!!!
— Alex Crum (@ACBabyBabyy) February 27, 2026
