USA Pickleball JUNIOR SPOTLIGHT
MORGAN
BROWN
By Bob Nibarger
USA PICKLEBALL JUNIORS COMMITTEE CHAIR
This month ’ s Junior Spotlight shines a light
on 14-year-old Morgan Brown from Naples , Florida . And even though she ’ s competed in many different sports , pickleball is her game ! At 12 , Morgan fell in love with the game and has been playing practically nonstop for two years . She ’ s currently a 7th grader at Pine Ridge Middle School and is proud to be a straight-A student .
The life lessons and values that are a part of pickleball closely mirror Morgan ’ s own principles and core beliefs . Pickleball has helped her through many difficult times and continues to teach her valuable life lessons .
Through persistence , grit and hard work , Morgan ’ s game continues to improve . She has progressed rapidly from being a “ banger ,” to concentrating on a soft-hands approach and focused placement . She maintains a positive attitude , is constantly smiling and always has fun . Morgan ’ s favorite shot is her two-handed backhand volley . Her all-time favorite pros are Simone Jardim , Ben Johns , and Kyle Yates . Her dream is to one day play in a tournament with them .
Morgan has had the good fortune of learning , playing , and winning with many great partners . She has played in and / or medaled in many tournaments , including the U . S . Nationals in Palm Springs , California , the US Open in Naples , and a tournament at the PicklePlex in Punta Gorda , Florida , where she took gold playing with her mother , Sharon Brown .
Morgan has won many medals in singles , doubles and mixed doubles , but her most memorable tournament was the 2019 US Open where she was noticed and sponsored by Paddletek .
Recently , she has accepted sponsorships from PB1965 and Jigsaw Health and is the “ face ” of the Naples Pickleball Junior Academy . Morgan is so excited and humbled to represent these brands and looks forward to what the future brings .
“ What I love most about pickleball is that it ’ s so friendly and I love how it ’ s a great way to meet new people ,” she says .
The socialization , experience and camaraderie in pickleball has taught Morgan that practice , dedication and hard work will always pay off . She ’ s always watching videos , taking lessons or hitting against a wall . This has considerably helped her to become a 4.0 player .
During the summer , Morgan assists her mother , who runs the Veterans Park Pickleball Program . Specifically , Morgan plays when needed , checks and sells program memberships , helps in the pro shop , takes lessons when it is slow , and assists with the lessons when it is busy .
Morgan would like to become a Pickleball Ambassador to help inspire more kids to join the sport . She ’ s currently studying to become a referee and a Level One IPTPA Certified Trainer . Her long-term goal is to become a professional pickleball player and a veterinarian ; and of course , to marry Ben Johns . When Morgan is not on the courts hitting or training , you can find her playing with her dog Finn , or filming TikTok and YouTube videos with friends . Morgan will continue to follow her dreams to show the world that persistence , dedication , and intense focus pays off ! •