SoCal Hard Eights Sign 17-Year-Old Jalina Ingram to MLP Roster
What's the Score?
In another significant roster adjustment during Major League Pickleball's Waiver Period #1, the SoCal Hard Eights have added 17-year-old Jalina Ingram to their alternate roster spot. Ingram is one of the youngest players ever signed by the United Pickleball Association, and her addition signals a commitment to nurturing young talent within the league. The Hard Eights released Lauren Hidalgo-Smith to facilitate this change.
Hit it deeper!
Major League Pickleball teams concluded their first Waiver Period of the 2025 season on Tuesday, May 14, 2025, with teams making strategic roster adjustments. The SoCal Hard Eights, currently holding a 0-2 record, made a change to their alternate roster spot. They released Lauren Hidalgo-Smith and added 17-year-old Jalina Ingram.
Jalina Ingram's signing is particularly noteworthy due to her age. At just 17 years old, she is recognised as one of the youngest players signed by the United Pickleball Association. Her addition to the SoCal Hard Eights' alternate roster means she will now have the opportunity to potentially compete at the Premier level of Major League Pickleball.
For the SoCal Hard Eights, who are looking to bounce back from their initial two losses, adding a promising young player like Ingram could be a long-term investment. While initially on the alternate roster, the exposure to a Premier level MLP team environment provides Ingram with invaluable experience and potential pathways to regular play.
Ingram's inclusion in the league underscores a significant trend in professional pickleball: the increasing presence and recruitment of young talent. As the sport grows, younger athletes are emerging, bringing fresh skills, athleticism, and perspectives to the professional tours. Leagues like MLP appear keen to identify and integrate these rising stars early in their careers.
This move occurred alongside other roster changes in the league at the end of Waiver Period #1, including the Dallas Flash adding Ivan Jakovljevic. These early-season adjustments highlight the competitive nature of MLP and teams' efforts to optimise their rosters to improve their chances throughout the season.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The SoCal Hard Eights' decision to add 17-year-old Jalina Ingram to their roster is a forward-looking move that emphasises the growing integration of youth into professional pickleball. As one of the youngest players signed by the United Pickleball Association, Ingram represents the next generation of talent entering the sport. For the Hard Eights, currently facing early-season challenges, this signing might be viewed as a strategic investment in future potential, offering Ingram a chance to develop within a high-level competitive environment. This recruitment reflects Major League Pickleball's role in identifying and providing a platform for emerging players. The inclusion of a 17-year-old demonstrates that the pathway to professional pickleball is becoming accessible at a younger age, a trend that bodes well for the long-term growth and talent pool of the sport.