Imagine a WNBA champion, fresh off a title win, trading her basketball for a pickleball paddle and getting soundly defeated by senior citizens. That's exactly what happened to Jewell Loyd, the three-time WNBA champion, who recently discovered a surprising new passion: pickleball. But here's where it gets interesting – this isn't just a casual hobby for Loyd. It's become a vital part of her off-season routine, a way to unwind and challenge herself in a completely different way.
During her break from dominating the basketball court, Loyd found herself drawn to the fast-paced, paddle-wielding world of pickleball. It all started three years ago, she recalls, when she stepped onto a court and was humbled by a group of seasoned pickleball veterans. "I'm getting destroyed by these older women, and we felt super embarrassed," Loyd admitted to 7News. "But that just fueled my fire. I got addicted to it."
Loyd, a basketball prodigy from Illinois who shone at Notre Dame and now plays for the Las Vegas Aces, isn't just dipping her toes into this sport. She's fully embraced it, even partnering with Joola, a leading pickleball and table tennis brand. On December 13, 2025, she hosted a meet-and-greet at a Joola shop in Bethesda, Maryland, connecting with fans and sharing her enthusiasm for the game.
And this is the part most people miss – pickleball, for Loyd, isn't just about the competition. It's about community and inclusivity. "Pickleball is one of the only sports where you can have a six-year-old playing with a 30-year-old, a 60-year-old, and someone who's never even heard of the sport before," she said. This unique aspect of the game has contributed to its explosive growth. According to The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), a staggering 48.3 million American adults – nearly 19% of the adult population – have played pickleball in the past year alone.
Loyd, affectionately nicknamed the 'Gold Mamba' by the late Kobe Bryant, sees pickleball as more than just a game. It's a way to relax, to connect with people from all walks of life, and to constantly learn. "Having different outlets is super vital for me," she explained. "You need a break when you're always in grind mode. Sometimes you need to get outside your comfort zone to open up your mind a little bit, relax."
Her passion is contagious. Nate Kamara, a Maryland native and Loyd fan, attended the meet-and-greet and left inspired. "I have a couple of friends who play pickleball, and after meeting Jewell, I'm definitely considering picking up a paddle myself," he said.
Loyd's embrace of pickleball raises an interesting question: Can a professional athlete truly find relaxation in another competitive sport? While some might argue that it's simply replacing one form of stress with another, Loyd's perspective challenges this notion. For her, the change of pace, the different skill set required, and the diverse community make pickleball a refreshing escape. What do you think? Is it possible to find relaxation in competition, or is Loyd an exception to the rule? Let us know in the comments below!
