The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Premier Level Free Agency Draft is in the books! It was a wild, 2.5-hour, action-packed adventure.
For a complete list of all the drafted players and their teams, visit our article that acted as a live blog during the draft:
Erik Tice
We had names coming out of nowhere, teams bidding five figures on players that casual fans have never heard of, Genie Bouchard taken top 10, and so much more.
My top 10 takeaways from the 2025 Premier Level draft
1. Top players went for WAY less than I thought they would
Example: The most expensive player was Kate Fahey (who I thought might go first) and she only went for $130k. In 2024, it wasn’t until the 33rd pick (Mari Humberg) that the draft slot dipped below $130k.
2. Outside the top 3 players, all other players who were drafted in 2025 went for LESS than their 2024 keeper price
Example: Riley Newman went for $110k in this year’s draft, but would have cost a team $275k to keep from 2024 to 2025.
3. 14 of the first 24 players drafted (I am labeling them "the starters”) were undrafted last year in MLP
4. The gap is widening between the haves and the have-nots
5. The only team who was promoted in 2024 to spend big in the free agency draft was the Chicago Slice. They bid for the 5, 9, 10, and 12 draft slots, building a veteran team from scratch
6. There were some snubs who weren’t drafted as starters, but instead drafted in the 5th/6th spot
Examples: Michael Loyd, Erik Lange, Blaine Hovenier, and Roscoe Bellamy.
7. The biggest snub who didn’t get drafted at all to Premier Level was Anderson Scarpa - how this occurred is beyond me
8. Ben Johns, yet again, gets zero help, financially
Carolina kept Collin Johns and Kaitlyn Christian from 2024. The minimum they possibly could have spent was $12,000 on their 2025 draft slots ($10k for the remaining “starter” and $1k each for their two subs). They spent exactly the minimum, $12,000.
9. Out of the 28 women drafted, 15 of them have never played MLP before (five “starters”)
10. Don't be surprised if this is not the end of the roster changes for Premier Level. I heard rumblings of a trade earlier in the day that was announced on Instagram and then almost immediately taken down
Team by Team Draft Grades
Atlanta Bouncers
Overall Grade: B
Analysis: Look, I am fully admitting I am biased here. Since the media had the initial UPA-signed player list weeks (if not a month) before the draft, I made sure to check out every player on it that I didn't know. Di Muzio was high on that list, as she has an absurdly high DUPR rating (it was the highest of ANY woman available in this draft, including Jansen).
I really liked what I saw from the tape and meeting Di Muzio in person. I will probably be higher than most pundits on this grade, as I think Di Muzio is the 2025 breakout player of the year.
I don't think Rettger and Querrey are going to see much playing time, but with Querrey coming back from injury, he should be able to get high level reps with Atlanta.
Carolina Pickleball Club
Overall Grade: D
Analysis: As mentioned in my 8th takeaway, Ben gets very little help again. I mean ZERO offense to Tammy, Liz, and Brandon. They are all very good players and I think each brings something unique to the team.
However, when ownership isn't willing to spend ANY money to help bolster the roster, I worry what Ben's effort level is going to look like for the second straight season.
Think about this for a second: for $80k more, their team could have been Ben, Kaitlyn, Collin, Viv David, Liz Truluck, and Michael Loyd.
Time will tell if the Johns brothers will have the same effort level issues in MLP that they did last year. For the growth of the game, I hope not.
Chicago Slice
Overall Grade: A+
Analysis: In speaking with my sources, I kept hearing that Chicago didn't want to spend. This time my sources were very wrong.
They went out and got the 5th, 9th, 10th, and 12th draft slots. If you had to start your Premier Level team from scratch, I think James Ignatowich is a great pick. He FOR SURE has his ups and downs, injuries, etc. These are the reasons he was dropped by D.C. after the 2024 season. But when he is playing his best, he is definitely a top 10 player. Hopefully Chicago can help him right the ship soon.
At the end of the day, they got three of my top 10 players available, and if I had more tape on Freeman, I would probably put him in my top 10 as well. I think Chicago has the ability to compete right away, despite being promoted this year AND not being allowed to keep any of their players from 2024.
Columbus Sliders
Overall Grade: A-
Analysis: Columbus just needed a left side woman to be deadly in 2025. Lea fits the bill as the best doubles player available. Here are the starting lineups for Columbus: Andrei and CJ, Parris and Lea, Lea and CJ, Parris and Andrei. Where is the weak link? Is there one?
I will say Columbus had the best off-season of any team. They were terrible last year, and made a ton of trades in Trade Window #1, setting themselves up for success. I think this is a top five team right now.
Additionally, I think Roscoe Bellamy is definitely top three for best steals of the draft. For only $10k, he can sub in for CJ or Andrei. He is better on the right, but can play the left as well.
D.C. Pickleball Club
Overall Grade: A-
Analysis: I have said it before, and I will say it again. With the move to side out scoring, there is more value placed on versatility in players.
Riley, Rachel, and Dekel are all very versatile. Jackie seems to like the left in women's and right in mixed, but I wonder if she may give up some of that left side, playing with Rachel.
Riley and Jackie already have chemistry together, having won an event in 2023 with D.C. I really like this team with Riley, as his ceiling may not be as high as Ignatowich's, but his floor is much higher.
Dallas Flash
Overall Grade: B+
Analysis: This was the easiest decision to make in all of MLP. Dallas saw other teams going for a guy in the bidding room and decided they weren't going to give up Ge.
Ge played well down the stretch in 2024 MLP, especially in the playoffs. If a team wins the championship, I feel like the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies.
I am glad Dallas is running it back. We will see if they can go back to back in terms of championships.
I am unsure of the subs of Dallas. DJ is very versatile, but I am unsure about Ruhl's game. I think better subs could have been had, but maybe the Johnsons know and/or like Ruhl.
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LA Mad Drops
Overall Grade: A
Analysis: The Mad Drops did well last year, considering they were constantly playing with subs, due to Thomas Wilson's health concerns.
They were only a left side guy away from being a real contender. With QD on the roster, this team looks downright scary. I believe Hunter has a very good pickleball IQ, and could maybe help QD shift his strategies throughout the year.
If Duong can figure out a healthy balance of the soft game and drive and crash game, I think he takes another step forward this year. If he continues to drive 3rds, 5ths, 7ths, and sometimes 9ths, he is going to struggle against the best, from time to time.
I also love that LA picked up Thomas Wilson again - class act by the organization. If they are dealing with any sort of male injury, then they can easily place Wilson on IR and pick someone up off of waivers.
Miami Pickleball Club
Overall Grade: A-
Analysis: I haven't seen much film on Bui, but my sources tell me she is the real deal. The real reason Miami gets an A- is because of Jay Devilliers. I think he is playing exceptionally well right now and he was my 3rd best man available in my draft preview article.
Getting two starters for $50k is very good. I think Jay and Eric will create a ton of chaos, and I don't expect a lot of soft game from those two. They are both very good at mixed doubles, too.
Yuta is getting better working with the Phoenix training crew, and he can serve as a good sub in a pinch.
New Jersey 5s
Overall Grade: I (Incomplete)
Analysis: I just don't see New Jersey keeping Bouchard to play with Zane and ALW.
I am already hearing rumors of a possible trade to send Genie to another team and bring in a more skilled, veteran player. I just don't know which team(s) and/or players are involved.
Genie would have been a very good sub on this team, had she gone undrafted long enough for that.
Gecheva is a good pick in my mind because she lives near ALW and can get some fantastic training in before she is asked to sub for anyone.
New York Hustlers
Overall Grade: F
Analysis: First and foremost, this is NOT a condemnation of any players drafted by the New York Hustlers. I think all of them are good players who could have been drafted near the place they were drafted, and done well - on different teams.
However, with all of them together, it just doesn't make sense to me.
New York could have taken a page out of Chicago's book in terms of how to handle heading into the draft with no players. Chicago spent just over $300k on their first four draft picks. The Hustlers didn't even select one player before Chicago selected all four starters.
Ford has a ton of upside, and so does Young. Spiridis is more of a project and Schaefer hasn't really had results in doubles yet. Benitez can really only play the left, so here's to hoping Donald Young never gets hurt. Funaro could be a fun project for the right coach.
Imagine this: Instead of limiting themselves with the lefty, Donald Young (it's limiting because you HAVE TO find a woman who is okay playing the left in mixed doubles), here is another lineup that NY could have had: Vivienne David, Victoria Di Muzio, Noe Khlif, and Zane Ford.
They needed to get at least one woman before even thinking about getting a guy. Instead, they got two guys first.
This lineup would have still cost NY less than $250k, and would have been a good building block for success. As is, I fear NY is going to be in the bottom quarter of team standings in 2025.
Orlando Squeeze
Overall Grade: C
Analysis: Much like the NY Hustlers, I like EVERY SINGLE player on this roster as an individual player. I just struggle to see how they are going to fit together and play as a cohesive unit.
Lacy plays mostly on the left in women's and so does Parker. Dylan has wanted to play the left more in 2025 and Fed is a left side only guy - I can't remember the last time I saw him on the right side of the court. Dylan will have to revert back to the right side.
This could very easily be my biggest miss of the year - I just don't think Orlando competes with the top tier of teams and I am guessing they don't even finish inside the top 10 teams in year end standings. I hope they prove me wrong because I like their players a ton.
Phoenix Flames
Overall Grade: C+
Analysis: There is a lot to unpack here.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Phoenix make another move or two during the second trade window.
My sources told me that Phoenix was involved in multiple trades during the first trade window, but many of them either fell through at "the last second" or were never confirmed to the league. So it seems Phoenix is willing to make deals.
If we are going off the pattern of trading away their best Proton signed players to elite level teams, maybe keep an eye on Meghan Dizon over the next couple of days.
I do really like the addition of Jack Sock here. Sock is moving well, looks engaged and happy and loving pickleball. I think Tyson is an elite strategist and teammate in the moment. I think he is a perfect compliment to Sock, who sometimes plays outside himself. Tyson will be able to reel him back in when he gets a little too loose.
Even if they don't win a ton, Phoenix is going to be one of the most entertaining teams to watch in 2025.
I like the additions of Walker and Teoni as well, both of whom are Proton sponsored players.
SoCal Hard Eights
Overall Grade: D
Analysis: I think the best pickup by SoCal was their sub, Blaine Hovenier.
Ivan is a lefty who hasn't had much success on the PPA Tour yet. Fu is best friends and trains with James Ignatowich and likes the left side, despite being a shorter guy.
I thought Hidalgo-Smith might be one of the "local activation" type picks, but she is in south Florida, so that is not the case. she has the lowest DUPR of any person that is signed with the UPA.
This team does NOT scream contender to me. It seems like SoCal is kind of mailing it in early in 2025, hoping they can find more value next year.
One caveat to make here is this: both Tim Parks and Adam Stone know ball and very well could have a trick up their sleeve. If I am very wrong and this team comes together and gels in 2025, I will very publicly recant on my draft grade.
St. Louis Shock
Overall Grade: B-
Analysis: I must have said the same thing on at least three different podcasts. I said Gabe would be cheaper in comparison to Kate to buy back AND if they had dropped Gabe and picked him back up, they would have had three years of control of him.
Did the Shock get the team they wanted and are they running it back? Absolutely. Could they have done it for approximately $80k - $90k cheaper? Absolutely.
As for subs, I really like the upside to Di Laura. When your husband is one of the best coaches (and now player) in MLP, that should probably give you a helping hand to continuous improvement. And on the guys' side, I can't believe Lange fell this low. He was one of my other options for steal of the draft at 28 overall.
The Shock executed everything well and have an amazing team that is going to compete for a title. I just think they could have done it for cheaper by dropping Gabe instead of Kate.
Texas Ranchers
Overall Grade: A
Analysis: I really dislike giving out A grades, but the Ranchers deserve one.
First of all, to have the patience to wait until 14th to get Noe was crazy good. Noe brings a ton of game and versatility to the Ranchers. He played the right with Miami all of last year, next to Eric Oncins. He already has two medals with Rafa Hewett on the PPA Tour this year in men's doubles from the left side.
Again, I can't believe Michael Loyd was available as a sub. Texas did an amazing job scooping him up quick. With Alshon having health concerns last year, Loyd would be a phenomenal sub in case of any medical issues in 2025.
I know the possibility of up side is diminished with subs because of the new "steal" rule, but it looks like Texas doesn't care. They want the best talent and they want to develop the best talent, even if it means that talent is eventually stolen, which I would think Loyd becomes that "steal" quickly.
Utah Black Diamonds
Overall Grade: B-
Analysis: I actually really like every player picked up in this draft, I just think Utah could have found a little more value in Safdar by waiting longer to take her. I am nitpicking as I am guessing they could have saved $20k and they would have still been sure of getting Safdar.
For those who don't know Safdar, she likes to play the left. She is a PhD student finishing up her dissertation in Sports Psychology. She has played the last couple of years on the University of Indiana pickleball club. Oh yeah, she had a heckuva career as a tennis player at the University of Minnesota.
I really like Erokhina as a backup, in case Safdar needs more time to get used to the pace of play at the highest level. Same thing for Yates Johnson. He is very versatile and could play in place of either guy and on either side.
Quick Summary of all teams and their draft grades
