ASU continues to lead in innovation with a more competitive Sun Devil Club Pickleball team every year. The team won "new club of the year" in 2025 at the ASU Sports Clubs Banquet. The sport has grown an astounding 171.8% within the last three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
The club is going into its third season with a roster full of young talent. The team was able to compete in many tournaments last season, concluding the 2025-26 season with a top 10 ranking for both men's and women's doubles, according to DUPR.
Coach Bruce Yeung says skill is important, but team building stands above all.
"It's not just skill level, it's also personality," Yeung said.
The team went to multiple states last year to compete, and this only brought them closer, Jacob Rocha a senior studying finance and the team's vice president, said.
"The club is a great way for me to both compete and make new friends," Rocha said.
READ MORE: As pickleball grows, ASU students strive to make it accessible on campus
One of those new friends is Jaden Lam, a pickleball pro from Litchfield Park, Arizona, and freshman studying mechanical engineering, who has been playing since he was 10 years old. Known as the "Erne King" for his aggressive shot execution, Lam said that playing at the collegiate level will be a new challenge for him.
"You have something representing more than just yourself," Lam said. "You're representing your school as well. Adapting to this new environment is going to be a bit of a challenge."
It may take a minute for Lam to adjust to the collegiate style of play.
While many freshmen spend their first year figuring out what they want to do for their four years on campus, Lam knew what he wanted to do long before he got accepted into his hometown college. Lam said he knew the founder of the club, Nathan Tang, prior to coming to ASU, having played against him before.
Yeung emphasized the impact Lam has had on the club so far.
"He's the future of the club," Yeung said. "We've got seniors and upperclassmen, and his skill level is probably one of the highest."
Collegiate pickleball is made up of three major competitive circuits: the DUPR College Pickleball Tour, the National Collegiate Pickleball Association and the APP Collegiate Series. These competitions give college players an opportunity to compete against other schools while representing their universities.
The team primarily relies on independent fundraising to cover travel expenses and many students have to pay out of their own pocket.
"We are actively looking for people to sponsor us all the time just to lower the load on the students," Rocha said.
One member of the club team runs a recreational pickleball group that meets every Thursday at the Sonora Tennis Courts in Tempe. Students are separated by skill level and play recreationally in a casual and inclusive environment.
"If you just picked up a paddle yesterday and wanted to go out, I think the rec club is a great place to do that," Rocha said.
Pickleball is a game for everyone and the recreational group allows ASU students of all skill levels to enjoy the sport alongside club team members.
The club team will face a busy season this year, participating in 11 tournaments, nine of which are located outside of Arizona.
The team will begin their season at the NCPA regional championship on Oct. 17 in San Diego.
Edited by Alex Swift, Alan Deutschendorf III and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at jbleimeyer@icloud.com.
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