Major League Pickleball 2023 Premier Level Draft Results
On Thursday night, the first 2023 Major League Pickleball draft was aired on Tennis Channel. It took place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and was a big night for the sport of pickleball. Read below for more info on the 2023 MLP season and results from draft. Can you take a guess who the first overall pick was? Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, JW Johnson… who do you think?
2023 Major League Pickleball Info
Six events across Arizona, California, Florida, and Georgia.
Jan. 26-29 – Mesa, AZ – Legacy Sports USA
March 23-26 – Daytona Beach, FL – Pictona at Holly Hill
June 15-18 – San Clemente, CA – Life Time Rancho San Clemente
Season One Championship: Monday night, June 19
Sept. 21-24 – Atlanta, GA – Life Time Peachtree Corners
Nov. 2-5 – La Quinta, CA – LaQuinta Resort & Club
Dec. 7-10 – San Clemente, CA – Life Time Rancho San Clemente
Season Two Championship: Monday night, December 11
The year will be divided into two “seasons” of three events
In the first season, 12 teams will compete in the MLP Premier Level (the first 48 drafted players) and 12 will compete in the MLP Challenger Level (the next 48 drafted players), with rosters consisting of two men and two women.
MLP is offering up to $5 million in prize money and payouts to its players in 2023
*All info from Major League Pickleball
Major League Pickleball Premier Level
“MLP Premier Level is home to the top 48 most in-demand team players in all of pro pickleball. Players with a dizzying track record of bombastic wins on the court and a DUPR Rating to match. These twelve coveted co-ed teams of four represent the gold standard for the sport and the pinnacle of competition.”
Major League Pickleball Premier Level 2023 Draft Results
Round 1
1. Anna Leigh Waters Paddletek - New Jersey 5's
2. Ben Johns Joola - Seattle Pioneers
3. JW Johnson Franklin - ATX Pickleballers
4. Anna Bright Joola - NY Hustlers
5. Catherine Parenteau Paddletek - Las Angeles Mad Drops
6. Riley Newman GAMMA - SoCal Hard Eights
7. Jay Devilliers Vulcan - Cabo Vamos
8. Jessie Irvine Engage - Florida Smash
9. Vivienne David CRBN - Las Vegas Night Owls
10. Andrea Koop Paddletek – California BLQK Bears
11. Callie Smith Onix - Milwaukee Mashers
12. Zane Navratil Franklin - Clean Cause
Round 2
13. Matt Wright Onix - Clean Cause
14. Lucy Kovalova Onix - Milwaukee Mashers
15. Dylan Frazier Selkirk – California BLQK Bears
16. Dekel Bar Engage - Las Vegas Night Owls
17. Jorja Johnson Franklin - Florida Smash
18. Simone Jardim Joola - Cabo Vamos
19. AJ Koller Joola - SoCal Hard Eights
20. Irina Tereschenko Paddletek - Las Angeles Mad Drops
21. Tyson McGuffin Selkirk- NY Hustlers
22. Jackie Kawamoto Paddletek- ATX Pickleballers
23. Etta Wright Joola- Seattle Pioneers
24. James Ignatowich Selkirk - New Jersey 5's
Round 3
25. Lea Jansen Joola - New Jersey 5's
26. Lauren Stratman Electrum - Las Vegas Night Owls
27. Jade Kawamoto Paddletek - ATX Pickleballers
28. Rafa Hewett Joola - NY Hustlers
29. Julian Arnold Volair - Las Angeles Mad Drops
30. Mary Brascia Selkirk - SoCal Hard Eights
31. Allyce Jones Joola - Cabo Vamos
32. Travis Rettenmaier Selkirk - Florida Smash
33. Meghan Dizon ProKennex - Seattle Pioneers
34. Federico Staksrud Joola - California BLQK Bears
35. Andrei Daescu Selkirk - Milwaukee Mashers
36. Yana Newell CRBN - Clean Cause
Round 4
37. Lina Padegimaite Electrum - Clean Cause
38. DJ Young CRBN - Milwaukee Mashers
39. Maggie Brascia Selkirk - California BLQK Bears
40. Tyler Loong Vulcan - Seattle Pioneers
41. Collin Johns Electrum - Florida Smash
42. Erik Lange HEAD - Cabo Vamos
43. Lindsey Newman GAMMA - SoCal Hard Eights
44. Thomas Wilson Electrum - Las Angeles Mad Drops
45. Lacy Schneemann Joola - NY Hustlers
46. Gabriel Tardio Paddletek - ATX Pickleballers
47. Kyle Yates Paddletek - Las Vegas Night Owls
48. Hayden Patriquin Franklin - New Jersey 5's
