AFPL Season 3 -- Draft Candidates Narrowed to 56 from Over 130 Applicants
On Friday, April 24, 2026, at 19:00 EST (8:00 Japan time on April 25),the All Florida Pro League (AFPL) Season 3 draftwill be held live on YouTube. From a total of over 130 applicants, after a grueling combine test,56 remained as nominees. 8 teams x 4 players =32 roster slotswill be decided by a snake-draft format.
The Draft's Mechanics and Schedule
The AFPL draft adopts a 4-round snake-draft format. Rounds 1 and 3 proceed in normal order, while rounds 2 and 4 pick in reverse order. Each team nominates a total of 4 players -- 2 men and 2 women. The remaining 24 players not nominated in the draft are registered on the waiver (additional-pickup list) and can be picked up by teams during the season.
Furthermore, trades between teams (exchanging draft rights and players) are permitted during and after the draft, and the maneuvering is one of the highlights.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Draft Date and Time | April 24, 2026, 19:00 EST (8:00 Japan time on April 25) |
| Broadcast | Open Play Sports YouTube Channel |
| Format | Snake draft (4 rounds) |
| Total Applicants | Over 130 |
| Nominees | 56 (combine passers) |
| Nomination Slots | 32 (8 teams x 4 players) |
| Roster Composition | 2 men + 2 women |
| Waiver Eligible | 24 (players not nominated) |
The 8 Competing Teams and Season Overview
The AFPL is a pro league based in 8 cities within Florida. In Season 3, the following teams take part in the draft.
| Team Name | Base |
|---|---|
| Sarasota Manatees | Sarasota |
| St Pete Icebergs | St. Petersburg |
| Punta Gorda Tide | Punta Gorda |
| O-Town Bangers | Orlando |
| Jacksonville Ballers | Jacksonville |
| GNV Chomp | Gainesville |
| Miami Blaze | Miami |
| Lakeland Palms | Lakeland |
The season runs from May through September in a format of5 regular-season matches + a midseason tournament + the Finals. It's a community-rooted league in which all matches are held within Florida.
Draft Candidates to Watch
| Player Name | Gender | DUPR Rating | Points of Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Waddell | Men | 5.768 (highest) | Top overall candidate in this draft |
| Bharat Karunakaran | Men | Top-tier | Steady track record |
| Kamden Bradstreet | Men | Top-tier | Highly rated at the combine |
| Jake Bower | Men | Top-tier | Power player |
| Drew Holder | Men | Top-tier | All-rounder |
| Adalynn Lund | Women | 5.347 (highest among women) | Top women's nomination candidate |
| Ellie Skingley | Women | Top-tier | Strong combine results |
| Ava Pisacrita | Women | Top-tier | Promising young talent |
| Arielle Nealy | Women | Top-tier | A steady play style |
| Alexa Quintinella | Women | Top-tier | Aggressive game-making |
ドラフトにおける戦略のポイント
男女各2名という固定構成が、チーム編成の戦略に大きな影響を与える。1巡目で男子タレントを優先するか女子トップ候補を確保するかで、チームの方向性が決まる。また、スネークドラフト方式により、後順のチームは中盤のラウンドで有利となる逆転の余地が組み込まれている。
ドラフト中および終了後のトレード認可により、チーム間の駆け引きがさらに複雑化する。指名権の先延ばし獲得や、複数選手の組み替えなども可能だ。
Reactions on the Ground
- A draft candidate: "130 people applied and it was narrowed to 56. The combine was really tough, but just making it this far feels like a turning point in my career."
- An AFPL team owner: "The 2-men, 2-women composition makes the strategy interesting. Whether you take a man or a woman in the first round completely changes the team's direction."
- A pickleball media reporter: "The AFPL takes a different approach from the PPA and MLP. The community-rooted, draft-based system is becoming a gateway for the next generation of pros."
Implications for Japanese Players
The AFPL is currently a Florida-only league, but it's an instructive model for the Japanese pickleball world too.
- The Potential of Regional Leagues: The AFPL format is a useful reference for concepts of pro or semi-pro leagues organized by prefecture or region
- A Draft x Combine System: As a mechanism for raising the transparency of player evaluation, it can also be applied to selecting players for tournaments in Japan
- YouTube Live Streaming: Viewable from 8 a.m. Japan time on April 25. You can learn the draft's maneuvering and team-building strategy in real time
USA Pickleball's youth development programandthe UPA's large funding roundViewed together with, a picture emerges of the American pickleball industry pushing "professionalization" and "grassroots spread" at the same time.
Ripple Effects on the Industry -- The Layering of Pro Leagues
America's pro pickleball scene is in a state where multiple leagues -- the PPA Tour, MLP, NPL, and more -- coexist. The AFPL is carving out a position distinct from these top leagues.
- A Home for Semi-Pros to Emerging Pros: Skilled players not affiliated with the PPA/MLP gain a stage to compete
- A Farm-System Function: A route is taking shape for players who make a name for themselves in the AFPL to be promoted to the PPA/MLP
- A Franchise Model: Each team diversifies its revenue structure by tying into local sponsors and fan bases
Viewing and Participation Guide
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Watching the Draft | Open Play Sports YouTube Channel (April 24, 19:00 EST / 8:00 Japan time on April 25) |
| Season Schedule | May-September (5 regular-season matches + a midseason tournament + the Finals) |
| Match Streaming | YouTube (details to be announced before each match) |
| AFPL Information | Updated regularly on media such as The Dink Pickleball and on social media |
Summary -- The Next Action
The AFPL Season 3 draft is a compelling event in which 56 elites from among 130 applicants compete for 32 slots. The maneuvering of team-building in the snake-draft format and the 2-men, 2-women balance strategy are the highlights.
Actions you can take now:
- Watch the YouTube live at 8 a.m. Japan time on April 25and experience the atmosphere of the draft and the players' level firsthand
- Check the DUPR profiles of players to watchto prepare for watching matches during the season
- As a reference for Japan's regional-league concepts, study the AFPL's franchise system and draft operation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How does the AFPL differ from the PPA and MLP?
A. The AFPL is a community-rooted pro league limited to Florida. Unlike the PPA (an individual-play tour) or the MLP (a team-based top league), it adopts a draft system and provides a stage for semi-pro to emerging-pro players.
Q. Can I take part in the AFPL as a player from Japan?
A. At present it centers on players residing in Florida. For details on official nationality and residency restrictions, please check the AFPL's official announcements. There is a possibility that participation requirements may be relaxed in the future.
Q. What is a waiver?
A. The 24 players not nominated in the draft are registered on the waiver list. It's a mechanism whereby, if a team has an opening in its roster during the season due to injury or the like, it can pick up an additional player from the waiver list.
