On April 23rd, 2022, the inaugural Major League Pickleball (MLP) draft took place, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history. This event brought together some of the best pickleball players from around the world, as they were selected by eight teams to compete in the league's first season.

The draft was held at the Dreamland Pickleball Club in Dripping Springs, Texas, and was live-streamed to thousands of fans worldwide. The eight teams, each owned by prominent figures in the sports and entertainment industries, took turns selecting players from a pool of 32 top-ranked men and women.

One of the most notable picks of the draft was the first overall selection of Ben Johns by the Austin Pickleballers. Johns, widely regarded as one of the best pickleball players in the world, was a highly sought-after pick and is expected to lead his team to success in the upcoming season.

Other notable picks included Anna Leigh Waters (selected 2nd overall by the Florida Smash), Tyson McGuffin (4th overall, Seattle Pioneers), and Irina Tereschenko (6th overall, LA Mad Drops).

The MLP draft generated significant buzz within the pickleball community and helped to showcase the sport's rapid growth and increasing popularity. With the first season of MLP set to begin in the summer of 2022, fans are eagerly anticipating the exciting matches and fierce competition that will unfold as these drafted players take the court.