YOUNG PHENOMS
Here are some of the future faces of pickleball.
by MATTHEW SCHWARTZ
They can hit perfect serves, dinks and drops, and they have something else in common: They are all too young to drive.
When not in school or being homeschooled, their parents drive them far and wide to tournaments. They’ ve won a carload of medals. Most have sponsors for their paddles, pickleball clothes and accessories.
They are some of the future faces of pickleball. Certainly not all.
“ They are advanced for their age because they are coming into the game using pro technique,” says Allyce Jones, a pro player who coaches Junior PPA players, including her daughter, Leah.“ They are getting lessons and learning how to spin the ball at an early age. It’ s also a sport that they can play against adults at an early age, which gives them more opportunities to develop their game.”
Pickleball Magazine spoke with 10 young phenoms and their parents. The kids were unfailingly polite and articulate. They sound mature beyond their years and play pickleball that way.
PIERCE BEHR
12, The Woodlands, Texas
Pierce has a 4.1 DUPR and is known as“ Pickleball Pierce” to his Instagram followers. He plays pickleball lefthanded but is a righty in every other sport. When he first plays against older strangers, Pierce says“ it usually starts with them taking it easy on me, and then instantly regretting it.”
Notable quote from his dad: Pierce’ s father, Jonathan( a 4.5 player), says,“ My wife and I have both always been super-competitive and love sports. We traveled to 15 PPA events last year throughout the country, and the life experiences and people we have met have been well worth the costs.”
RYDER BROWN
13, McKinney, Texas
He was the first Junior PPA player to win the triple crown when he took gold in boys singles and doubles and mixed doubles in June 2024 at the CIBC Texas Open. Ryder is ranked No. 1 in boys 14U singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Ryder has two things in common with many top junior players in that he got into pickleball from parents who play and is being homeschooled, which provides a more
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