Kudos to Duke Basketball’s Mosquito Division for winning the first runner-up in the SK TamBO Summer League 2025!

The hardwood may not have been inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, but the heart, hustle, and hunger of Duke’s youngest basketball talents echoed the same championship spirit. The Duke Basketball Mosquito Division team etched its name in the summer hoops scene by finishing as first runner-up in the 2025 SK TamBO Summer League—a showing that blended raw talent, steady coaching, and the unwavering support of a proud basketball institution.

While championship banners are the ultimate reward, the journey that led this team of young standouts to the finals tells a much bigger story—one of development, teamwork, and the forging of a culture of excellence from the very beginning.

The SK TamBO Summer League is no small-time tournament. Each summer, hundreds of young athletes from regional basketball academies, school-based teams, and elite club programs gather to test their mettle in what has become a proving ground for up-and-coming talent. The Mosquito Division—typically composed of players aged 9 to 11—showcases the purest form of the game: unfiltered passion, emerging skill sets, and the foundational values of team play.

This year, the competition was especially fierce, with a record number of teams registering for the 2025 edition. Amid that stacked bracket stood Duke’s youngest warriors—ambitious, well-coached, and hungry for more than just participation.

From the opening tip-off of group play, the Duke Mosquito squad showed it belonged. With a style defined by relentless defense, quick ball movement, and smart shot selection, they quickly found themselves atop their pool.

Their first game set the tone. A 46–22 win over the South Metro Scorpions was built on a high-pressure defense that forced 18 turnovers and converted them into easy fast-break points. Guards Jaxon Lee and Evan Devereaux combined for 27 points, while big man Mason White controlled the paint with eight rebounds and four blocks.

In their second match, the team battled through adversity against the scrappy Bataan Bayhawks. Down by seven at halftime, head coach Chris Fulton rallied the squad with a fiery halftime talk, reminding them of their defensive identity. The second half was a different story. Trapping schemes led by energetic forward Kai Mendoza turned into points off turnovers, and Duke won 38–33 in a thrilling comeback.

By the time the final group stage match rolled around, Duke had already clinched advancement but didn’t let up. A 50–26 dismantling of the Las Piñas Vipers showed off their full offensive potential. All 10 players contributed points—a clear sign of how balanced and unselfish this young group had become.

The semifinal matchup came against the previously undefeated Cavite Tigers, widely considered the tournament favorites. On paper, the Tigers were bigger, more experienced, and far more physical. But Duke had something different: grit.

The game turned into a defensive slugfest. Coach Fulton leaned heavily on a zone press that confused Cavite’s ball handlers. Wing player Niko Suarez emerged as a breakout star, scoring 14 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and adding five steals.

A tense final two minutes saw Duke clinging to a 2-point lead. With 12 seconds left, Cavite attempted a three-pointer to win—but it rimmed out. White secured the rebound, and the Blue Devils held on to win 34–32.

“That was the moment our kids realized they could do anything,” Fulton said after the game. “They didn’t care about the name on the other team’s jersey. They believed in each other.”

The final pitted Duke against the Quezon City Raptors, a team known for speed and a lights-out shooting backcourt. Right from the tip, it was clear the championship game would be a battle of wills.

In the first quarter, Duke looked slightly nervous. The Raptors opened with a 10–0 run. But instead of folding, the Blue Devils fought back behind Mendoza’s leadership and key buckets from Devereaux and Suarez. By halftime, the deficit was just four.

The second half turned into a slugfest. Bodies hit the floor for loose balls. Players on both sides made clutch shots. With under a minute left and the game tied at 41, the Raptors ran a well-executed screen to free up their sharpshooter, who hit a deep three that proved to be the dagger.

Duke’s last-second shot to tie was blocked, and the Raptors celebrated a 44–41 championship victory.

Still, there were no tears from the young Blue Devils—just pride.

“We gave everything,” said 10-year-old captain Jaxon Lee. “This made us stronger. Next year, we’re coming back for the title.”

Much of Duke’s success can be credited to the steady leadership of head coach Chris Fulton, a former high school coach turned youth development specialist. Fulton took over the Mosquito Division three years ago with a mission not just to win, but to develop young athletes who think the game at a high level.

“Our philosophy has always been ‘play smart, play fast, play together,’” Fulton said. “We don’t measure success in trophies. We measure it in growth. But make no mistake—this group earned every bit of that runner-up finish.”

Under Fulton, players are taught film study, positional awareness, and communication—skills usually not prioritized at this age level. Parents and league organizers alike have praised the way Duke’s young team conducts itself on and off the court.

“You can see the Duke system forming early,” said league commissioner Anton Bargas. “From spacing to tempo to unselfishness, this team is incredibly disciplined. It’s rare for 10-year-olds to play with such clarity.”

While every player contributed to the journey, a few names etched themselves into the league’s consciousness:

• Jaxon Lee (Guard) – The emotional leader and floor general. Averaged 10.6 PPG and 4 assists per game.
• Evan Devereaux (Combo Guard) – Known for his speed and shot-making ability, he was often the spark plug.
• Mason White (Center) – A dominant force inside. Led the tournament in blocked shots.
• Niko Suarez (Wing) – His all-around skill set and calm demeanor in high-pressure moments stood out.
• Kai Mendoza (Forward) – The heart-and-soul defender whose energy sparked comebacks and late-game heroics.

A Program Built to Last

The Mosquito Division is the entry-level gateway into the broader Duke Youth Basketball Academy—a multi-tiered structure designed to develop players from childhood through their teenage years in the style, standards, and values of Duke Basketball.

While the senior Blue Devils are winning headlines in the NCAA, these young players are already preparing to one day wear that same legendary uniform.

“We want our kids dreaming of the big stage,” said Director of Player Development Trina Caldwell. “But it starts with the little things. How they show up to practice. How they treat teammates. How they respond to losing. That’s the Duke way.”

Parents have also played a critical role in the program’s rise. From volunteering at games to organizing meals and transport, their dedication has built a family atmosphere that many say is the program’s secret weapon.

“We’re not just cheering for our kids,” said Sheila Mendoza, Kai’s mom. “We’re supporting the whole team. Wins are great, but watching them grow into leaders—that’s the real victory.”

Even opponents have taken notice. After the final game, coaches and players from the Quezon City Raptors made a point to congratulate every Duke player individually—something rarely seen at this level.

“That mutual respect is what sports should be,” Coach Fulton said. “And these kids earned that respect.”

With the tournament behind them, the Mosquito Division will take a brief break before transitioning into skills development clinics in the fall and league play in winter. Several players will likely move up to the Peewee Division, while younger athletes will join to take their place.