About Whatabangers
We started this journey with one goal in mind - to create something bigger than ourselves. What inspired us was seeing how the game of pickleball could bring total strangers together and turn them into teammates, friends, and even family. We're not just a team, we're a community. And whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, there's always room for you with the Whatabangers.
Meet our Whatabangers Team
Don Nghe
Facility Operations |Coordinator | CoFounder
Meet Don - aka Calvin, but better known on the courts as Dinking Don. Don claims to be a soft-touch dinker, but let's be real - he's out there banging every shot like it's a power drill. He's earned quite the rep in Mixed Doubles for body bagging the ladies, so if you're against him stay sharp.
Known for hogging the ball like it's his personal highlight reel, don't be afraid to push back when you're on his team. That said, we've got him to thank for bringing the squat together-he's the heart (and chaos) behind the Whatbangers, our fearless Whatada Team Captain.
Mai Dinh
Social Events Coordinator | CoFounder
Meet Mai Dinh aka Maya - the social butterfly of the Whatabangers. If you're looking to mix dinks with good convo, she's your go-to. Maya lives for rec play, loves meeting new players, and is always down to organize a good time, both on and off the court.
She may not flex the highest DUPR, but don't be fooled-her fast hands aren't just for pickleball. She's known for dishing out body bags with a side of Popeyes fried chicken and passing shots smoother than your favorite liquor.
Ambassador
Tobie Nguyen
Social Media Engineer | CoFounder
Meet Tobie-Our "voluntold" social media guy. The team didn't quite know where to place him, so they handed him the content duties and hoped for the best. Since he already makes hilarious Real Estate videos, they figured, "How bad could it be?" (Spoiler: them team still has no budget for a professional.)
Tobie's game? Let's just say it's creatively subpar. His background isn't in racquet sports-it's in jiu-jitsu-so don't be surprised if you catch him literally rolling on the ground trying to make a play. He's a lefty with power, which makes him hard to read, but trust us, he's still figuring it out too.
He's not exactly tournament material, but if you want laughs, unpredictable plays, and a solid content- he's your guy.
Ambassador
Nicolas Lu
Sponsorship | Logistics Coordinator
Introducing Nick Lu-aka our one-man hype squad and our very own RoboCop of pickleball-gearing up takes him a solid hour as he straps on every brace known to man: elbow, knee, ankle-you name it, he's wearing it. He should get a sponsorship for Health and Wellness. His body might be falling apart, but hey, at least the hair's finally holding up strong. Whether he's rallying the crew or keeping our social events and tournaments running smoothly (and on budget), Nick's the engine that keeps the Whatabangers rolling.
He's all about the details-especially when it comes to medal design. If there's hardware to be won, you better believe he's chasing it. But don't let that polished look fool you - Nick's got a little sandbagger energy. Word on the court is you might catch Sir Dinks-a-Lot sliding into a 3.0 women's doubles bracket...with zero shame haha.
Ambassador
Carl Arce
Custom Relations & Head Coach
Meet Carl-aka The Picleball Smash King. Once a rejected badminton player, he's now a hgih-level pickleball powerhouse. Don't let the freiendly smile fool you-Carl will dismantle your game one drop shot at a time, then finish you off with a lightning-fast overhead flick straight to your feet. And when he takes flight for a kill shot? It's nothing short of terrifying.
Carl's not just a beast on the court-he's also the Reel McCoy. He loves creating fun, high-energy pickleball content that shows off his athleticsm, finess, and all around Pinoy Pride. Hit that follow and subcribe on his IG-you never know when he might drop a post-match serenade.
Ambassador
Join the Whatabangers Community
What sets Whatabangers apart is that we're more than just a team—we’re a community-driven group passionate about giving back. We use the sport of pickleball not only to compete and have fun, but as a platform to bring people together, create meaningful connections, and make a positive impact both on and off the court.