Brookville Student Has Created PaddlePod Invention
A Lynchburg teen invented a 3D-printed pickleball paddle attachment that caught the attention of Mark Cuban.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Tennis
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Skylin Hasworth, a 15-year-old student at Brookville High School, has developed a patent-pending device called PaddlePod to hold a pickleball on a paddle. The invention recently gained significant exposure after Mark Cuban reposted a video showcasing the product.
Why it matters
The device addresses the practical inconvenience of carrying a loose ball when leaving a pickleball court. The project has moved rapidly from concept to national attention after drawing interest from a Shark Tank casting director.
The patent-pending device holds exactly 1 pickleball on the paddle frame. The 15-year-old inventor is currently utilizing CAD files and 3D-printing technology to refine the prototype's engineering design.
The players
Skylin Hasworth
He is a 15-year-old student at Brookville High School in Lynchburg who invented the PaddlePod.
Mark Cuban
He is a prominent entrepreneur and television personality who brought national visibility to the invention by reposting a video of it.
The details
Skylin Hasworth and his father utilized resources like ChatGPT to assist in building their website and developing the initial 3D-printed design. The team continues to test and refine the attachment to resolve specific engineering challenges before moving toward consumer sales.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The invention gained prominence following a viral social media repost.
Season Trajectory
The emergence of the PaddlePod follows the path of many products featured on the Shark Tank investment platform, where social media visibility often serves as a precursor to formal business interest. This development highlights how amateur creators can now bypass traditional R&D hurdles by using accessible digital design tools.
The invention aims to streamline court transitions by eliminating the need to carry loose balls by hand. Interested users can monitor the device's development as the inventors move closer to launching their product for public sale.
The takeaway
This invention shows how students can leverage modern tools like 3D printing and AI to solve common athletic annoyances. Aspiring inventors should focus on validating their prototypes through testing before pursuing larger scale production.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in the sport by visiting the Tennis section.
More information
View the project status and latest updates on the PaddlePod official project website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSLS.
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