Brandon Nsekpong on Pickleball, Representation, and Growing the Game

When I sat down with pro pickleball player Brandon Nsekpong, I wasn’t quite sure where our conversation would take us. I knew we’d talk about pickleball—his journey, the sport’s growth, and the ever-important conversation about inclusivity. But what unfolded was more than just a discussion about a game; it was a deep dive into culture, personal evolution, and the power of community.

From Table Tennis to Pickleball: A Journey Through Sports

Brandon’s path to pickleball wasn’t linear. He started with table tennis, transitioned to junior tennis, played golf, and even ended up in basketball before discovering pickleball almost by accident. His father, he shared, had a unique perspective on sports—he didn’t just want Brandon to play; he wanted him to play something different.

“My dad wanted me to play a sport that typically people that look like me did not play,” Brandon told me. “He wanted me to be in spaces where I wouldn’t normally be, so I could network and learn from different environments.”

At the time, young Brandon didn’t understand it. To him, it felt like constant pressure, an unrelenting push toward something he wasn’t sure he wanted. But looking back now, he sees the strategy. It wasn’t just about sports; it was about exposure, opportunity, and breaking out of insulated communities.

A Reluctant Start to Pickleball

Brandon stumbled upon pickleball while playing basketball at Lifetime Fitness. He was laser-focused on hoops, even winning leagues, when he first saw people—mostly older—playing this unfamiliar sport on the side courts.

“I thought it was a retirement thing, like a cool-down sport,” he laughed. But a woman he kept running into at the gym invited him to play, and despite his initial disinterest, he eventually said yes.

What happened next is the kind of moment every pickleball player can relate to: He got absolutely destroyed by a man twice his age.

“I was lunging, running, sweating—and he wasn’t even breaking a sweat. I was like, ‘Why is this happening?!’” Brandon recalled. That competitive spark ignited something in him. The next morning, he walked into work, only to realize that the man who had schooled him on the court was one of his corporate colleagues.

“That was it. We ended up playing together all the time, and they always wanted me on the court. From there, it just took off.”

The Culture of Pickleball vs. Other Sports

As someone who has played a variety of sports, Brandon sees something unique in pickleball: its inclusivity.

“The first thing I noticed was how inviting it was. Regardless of background, skill, height, or weight—people just want to share something they love,” he said. “There’s an energy about it where people want you to be part of the game.”

This stood in stark contrast to basketball, where you have to earn your place, and tennis, which can feel rigid and cutthroat. In pickleball, people wanted him there from day one. They didn’t care about his skill level; they just liked playing with him.

The Representation Challenge

Despite its welcoming culture, Brandon acknowledges that pickleball still has a long way to go in terms of representation. When he first turned pro, there were very few Black players on tour. Now, there are more. Progress? Yes. But there’s still work to be done.

“I don’t think there’s an adequate representation today,” he admitted. “Look at where pickleball courts are being built—it’s mostly tennis courts being converted, and there wasn’t a huge presence of people who look like me in tennis either.”

So how do we change that? According to Brandon, it’s about direct introduction – meeting people where they are and giving them a chance to play. “You can’t just build courts and expect people to show up. You have to go into these communities and say, ‘Hey, come try this.’ The moment they do, they’ll love it.”

One of the biggest barriers, he explains, is simple awareness. “If pickleball isn’t something you’ve been exposed to, you’re not going to naturally gravitate toward it.” That’s why he sees pop-up events as a pivotal approach for expanding access. “Showing up with paddles, setting up nets in familiar spaces, and making it easy for people to play – that’s how we grow the game.”

The Importance of Self-Branding

Brandon has been intentional about building his presence in the pickleball space. While some players rely solely on tournament results to gain recognition, he understood early on that visibility mattered. “Even when I wasn’t playing as many tournaments, I kept my name out there through social media, content, and being present in the community,” he said. By consistently sharing his journey and making an impact beyond the court, he carved out his own space in the sport.

His guerrilla marketing approach is simple but effective. “Every time I introduce someone to pickleball, I let my love for the game show. Then I scale it through social media, sharing what I’m doing and who I’m helping. That’s how you grow the sport.”

The Balance of Family and Going Pro

Brandon has been in the sport for five years, and for a long time, going pro full-time wasn’t a realistic option. “Back then, it was risky financially. I was right on the cusp of going full-time pro and getting drafted to Major League Pickleball when I had my first child.”

Now, he’s taking the leap, leaving his corporate job to go full-time pro—all while raising two children under three years old. While the decision wasn’t easy, he’s committed to making it work, balancing competition with teaching and growing the sport.

For new players, his advice is simple:

“Enjoy it. Embrace the awkwardness. Have fun. Everyone starts somewhere.”

As for his personal philosophy? It’s one that transcends pickleball:

“Who you become is greater than what you acquire.”

Brandon is living proof of that. His journey isn’t just about medals or rankings—it’s about impact, expanding the game, and about making sure the next wave of players feels just as welcome as he did.

And if his story is any indication, pickleball is only just getting started.

If you’d like to follow Brandon’s journey, you can find him competing in both PPA and APP tournaments. Stay connected with him on Instagram at @brandonnsekpong.