GOOD DAYPICKLEBALL

PLAYER PROFILE

Brandon French

Carolina Hogs player · Former Division I golfer · Combat athlete

Brandon French followed an unusual route from NCAA Division I golf to professional pickleball, building a deceptive, spin-heavy game around reach, wrist action and multisport touch.

September 15, 2026Evidence-backed revision
USA · CAROLINA HOGS65
6.127DUPR Singles · MenObserved August 11, 2026

2026 MLP Draft selection

Lima roots · Dallas home

A Division I golfer with one of pickleball’s most unusual attacking games

French grew up in Lima, Ohio, attended Lima Central Catholic High School and played NCAA Division I golf at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His broader athletic background also includes recreational tennis and table tennis.

His parents introduced him to pickleball during Christmas break in 2018. French progressed quickly and turned professional in 2020, translating hand-eye coordination and touch from multiple sports into an unconventional game that can be difficult to read.

ATHLETIC BACKGROUND

Did Brandon French play college tennis or college golf?

French played NCAA Division I golf at Fairleigh Dickinson. Tennis and table tennis were parts of his broader athletic background, but golf was his varsity college sport.

Career timeline

From Fairleigh Dickinson golf to professional pickleball

Division I college golfer

French competed for Fairleigh Dickinson’s men’s golf team after graduating from Lima Central Catholic High School.

Senior season at Fairleigh Dickinson

He averaged 78.8 strokes for the season, including a 76.5 fall average.

Introduced to pickleball

French’s parents brought him onto a pickleball court during Christmas break, beginning his transition into competitive play.

Turned professional

He advanced into professional competition approximately two years after first playing the sport.

Notable PPA doubles victories

French recorded high-level doubles wins with partners including Jack Sock and Grayson Goldin, demonstrating his ability against established professional teams.

Drafted by Carolina

The Carolina Hogs selected French with the No. 65 pick in the 2026 MLP Draft.

Official DUPR record · August 11, 2026

Singles and doubles ratings kept in the correct disciplines

DUPR listed separate singles and doubles figures. Both are dated because dynamic ratings change as results are added.

DUPR men’s singles
6.127 · North America No. 20
DUPR men’s doubles
6.069 · North America No. 48
DUPR observation date
August 11, 2026
2026 MLP Draft
Pick No. 65 · Carolina Hogs
Major League Pickleball

Carolina’s final selection in the 2026 MLP Draft

2026 DRAFT65CAROLINA HOGS

Carolina used the No. 65 pick on French, adding an experienced professional with exceptional reach, wrist-generated spin and deceptive shot selection to its six-player roster.

Explore the complete Carolina Hogs roster →

Meet teammate DJ Young →

Dated equipment observation

What paddle was Brandon French documented using?

COMBAT PICKLEBALL

HOPLITE 16MM

16Documented September 15, 2026

French announced a move from JOOLA to Combat Pickleball for the 2026 season, and Combat identified the UPA-A-approved Hoplite 16mm as his competition paddle. The PPA profile’s JOOLA listing is treated as stale rather than current equipment evidence.

COMPARE SIMILAR PADDLES

Comparable paddle options

An exact retail match for COMBAT PICKLEBALL HOPLITE 16MM has not been verified. These are broader shopping alternatives, not a claim that the player used them. Compare shape, thickness and specifications before buying. Price and availability can change.

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Interview, singles and doubles footage

Watch Brandon French play and tell his story

Player interview

Brandon French — from collegiate golf to professional pickleball

The Pickleball Show · 2023

PPA men’s doubles

Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio vs. Brandon French and Adam Stone

PPA Tour · 2025

Professional men’s doubles

Shaw and Moreno vs. MacKinnon and French

Pickleball.com

Professional men’s singles

Mohaned Alhouni vs. Brandon French

Pickleball.com

Verified player accounts

Follow Brandon French

Quick answers

Brandon French FAQs

Transparent sourcing

Primary evidence

DUPR, team membership and paddle information are dated observations. The current Combat evidence supersedes an outdated JOOLA model still displayed on the PPA profile.

01Pickleball.com player profile↗02Major League Pickleball player profile↗03MLP: 2026 Draft results and rosters↗04DUPR: North America rankings↗05Fairleigh Dickinson men’s golf roster↗06The Kitchen: 2026 paddle deals↗07Combat Pickleball: Hoplite 16mm competition evidence↗