Here’s a fun game for you!

We want you to name some celebrity pickleball players. You’ll probably think of some Major League Pickleball (MLP) names, right? There may be a professional tennis player in the lineup, too. But today’s post isn’t about professional pickleball. We want to talk about the celebs playing the sport for fun!

That’s right! Those high-class Bainbridge Island roots have come full circle. What was once a popular pastime in Floridian retirement communities has spread to the most recognizable pop culture icons. Today, you’ll find many marquee-worthy names touting the benefits of America’s fastest-growing sport.

Who are they?

Well, you’ll just have to keep reading to see!

The Big Names of Professional Pickleball

Of course, we can’t ignore the obvious picks.

There are many talented players in our beloved sport. Today’s blog post may not be their time to shine, but we can’t ignore them!

Most people will name Ben Johns. Aside from being widely regarded as the sport’s top player, Johns has cemented himself as a facet of the pickleball community. Born in 1999, Johns graduated from the University of Maryland. In 2019, he achieved a jaw-dropping 108-match win streak in professional singles.

And we can’t forget Anna Leigh Waters! Her mother may have been a collegiate tennis professional, but Waters’ switch to pickleball paid off. Don’t let her age fool you. This amazing pickleball player has won plenty of awards. Alongside her mother, Waters was also part of the first nationally televised pickleball match on CBS Sports! You can watch this rising star play tournaments with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA).

Some other notable names of professional pickleball include:

• Anna Bright (Professional Pickleball Association)
• Parris Todd (Association of Pickleball Players and Major League Pickleball)
• Riley Newman (Major League Pickleball)
• Tyson McGuffin (Professional Pickleball Association)

The Celebrities You (Maybe) Didn’t Know Love Pickleball

Of course, you’re looking for the famous players. While those big names may be interesting, they’re not the focus of today’s post. That’s not to diminish their numerous championships; we still love Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns! However, we want to focus on those who may not be a natural athlete.

These names will probably sound familiar! We’ve picked from the most famous names around, so sit back and relax! You may just be surprised by some of the faces you’ll see.

The Hilarious Aisha Tyler

Best known for her long-running role as the host of Whose Line Is It Anyway (since 2013), Aisha Tyler has described the sport as a massive ping-pong match! Aside from her decade-long participation in the famed improvised comedy series, Tyler has held roles as an actress, director, and voice actor.

In 2007, she appeared as Luna in The Boondocks, one of Adult Swim’s many cult classics. If you’re a fan of video games, you’ll also recognize Aisha Tyler’s voice and likeness from the first of Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs, released in 2014.

While Tyler has no intentions of going pro, she’s used her pickleball powers for good! In 2022, she was invited to join the cast of Pickled, a CBS comedy special hosted by Stephen Colbert. Ever the television personality, she played with her trademark wit and enthusiasm.

But this won’t be the last time you’ll hear about Pickled! The 2022 television special included a few more marquee names!

The Timeless LeBron James

Yes, he’s the undeniable ace of the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s the record-holder for career score in the NBA. He even has a presence on television, serving as the voice of Gwangi in 2018’s Smallfoot. But LaBron James is also a pickleball fan!

It makes sense, too. It’s the perfect sport for someone competitive!

As of 2022, King James is the proud owner of a professional MLP pickleball team. That makes him a basketball star, a pickleball player, and a team owner! This move placed him in a growing crowd of NBA pros turned pickleball team owners, including fellow NBA champions Draymond Green and Kevin Love.

Tennis Pro Michael Chang

King James isn’t the only sports star in love with pickleball. Professional tennis player Michael Chang’s most well-known accomplishment is his stunning 1989 victory at the French Open.

However, his competitive spirit has since led him to a different court. In 2023, Chang joined forces with three other professional tennis players — Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, and Andy Roddick — for a charity doubles match.

Unlike other tennis pros, Chang will avoid touring as a pickleball player. Nonetheless, he expressed excitement at the prospect of playing the sport in his spare time.

As its popularity grows, pickleball has swept up countless sports icons. Chang and LeBron are just the beginning. There are many other athletes falling for America’s fastest-growing sport, including…

• Annika Sörenstam (Golfer)
• Dave Fleming (Sports broadcaster)
• Dirk Nowitzki (NBA player)
• Michael Phelps (Olympic gold medal winner)
• Tony Romo (NFL player)

The Talented Selena Gomez

Best known for her roles in Disney Channel shows, Selena Gomez has a lengthy list of credits. She starred in Wizards of Waverly Place for five years (2007–2012) and was featured in Taylor Swift: The 1989 Tour Live (2015).

She has since used her perennial popularity to expand her portfolio. Her most recent years have been devoted to starring in and serving as the executive producer for Only Murders in the Building. But this indomitable woman has a passion for something that may surprise you.

That’s right! When she isn’t acting, attending events, dancing, or singing, this talented star is playing pickleball. She’s even invested in pickleball businesses and expressed her hopes for the sport’s continued growth.

Comedic Genius Will Ferrell

This might be a name you didn’t expect to see. Then again, you may have heard of his participation in Colbert’s Pickled.

Regardless of your awareness of Ferrell’s love for pickleball, you most certainly recognize his name. Just a few months ago, he had us in stitches as Mattel’s bumbling CEO in Barbie. His role as the titular hero of Elf has brightened the holiday season for over two decades. (It may be shocking, but Buddy the Elf first graced screens in 2003!) We could spend hours listing every Will Ferrell credit, but we’ll keep things to a minimum.

If you don’t recognize any of those titles, consider some of his other works! He brought Ron Burgundy to life twice — in 2004 and 2013. The following year, he gave a heartfelt performance as the LEGO-obsessed father in The LEGO Movie. He’s also poised to provide vocal talents in the upcoming Despicable Me 4.

However, these many credits are just part of his comedic talents. Ferrell isn’t shy about how much he loves to play pickleball. Two years after his appearance on Pickled, Ferrell remains an enthusiastic pickleball player.

Join the Club!

While few of us have the same power and budget for personal pickleball courts as these stars, we all have the same ability to play! Pickleball’s popularity has exploded in recent years; now is the time to start.

So, grab a friend and share this post! It’s time to begin your pickleball journey. Start on the Pickle Goddesses blog! We have something for every skill level.

Were you surprised by some of the celebrity players? That’s another chance to share this post! Keep spreading the word about this fantastic sport. At Pickle Goddesses, we won’t stop until everyone knows about it. We want to empower everyone across the country to join the fun!