Bay Area Breakers represent California in the Major League Pickleball (MLP) Premier League. Along with the Los Angeles Mad Drops and BLQK Bears from Pasadena, it is one of three pro pickleball teams based in California and the key team in the San Francisco / Bay Area region.
But who are the Breakers, and how is the Bay Area MLP team performing in 2023? Here’s everything to know about the team’s history, their roster, and investors. Follow along!
Who Are the Bay Area Breakers?
The Bay Area Breakers, formerly named the Jackrabbits, are a Major League Pickleball team that was founded in 2022. The team competes in MLP’s top professional league, the Premier League.
The founders include Mimi and David Mercado and Ritchie Tuazon, with current investing partners additionally including NBA player Jeremy Lin as well as Geoffrey Nguyen, Wayley and Kathleen Louie, and Jeff and Stacey Nishi.
What Pro Pickleball Players Are on the Bay Area Breakers?
The Breaker’s 2023 roster includes Lea Jansen, Etta Wright, Connor Garnett, and Rafa Hewett.
Learn more about the Bay Area pro pickleball players and their credentials:
Lea Jansen
Where’s she from?:
Spokane, WA
What’s Lea Jansen’s age?
Lea Jansen is 31 years old.
What’s her Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR)?
5.85 Doubles DUPR as of 2023
How Long Has She Been Playing Pickleball?
Lea Jansen began playing pickleball in 2019 after being a top ranked tennis player in the Pacific Northwest for years within all age groups she competed in (she started at age 8.) She went pro in the MLP in 2021 and has medaled in multiple Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) tournaments, including three gold medals, all while battling type 1 diabetes.
You can learn more from her MLP and PPA profiles.
Follow Lea Jansen on Social Media
Leah is active on Instagram and X/Twitter.
Marietta ‘Etta’ Wright
Where’s she from?:
New Zealand
What’s Etta Wright’s age?
Pro pickleball player Etta Wright is 30 years old.
What’s her Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR)?
5.89 Doubles DUPR as of 2023
How Long Has She Been Playing Pickleball?
Another tennis star turned pickleball pro, Etta Wright began playing pickleball in 2018 after being introduced to the sport by her uncle. She went pro in 2022 and began playing on the PPA tour in 2023.
Learn more from Etta Wright’s MLP and PPA bios
Follow Etta on Social
Etta Wright is active on Instagram
Connor Garnett
Where’s Connor from?:
Costa Mesa, CA
What’s his age?
Pro pickleball player Connor Garnett is 26 years old.
What’s his Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR)?
6.65 Doubles DUPR as of 2023
How Long Has he Been Playing Pickleball?
After playing D1 tennis at Santa Clara University and even being Novak Djokovic’s hitting partner at one point in time, Connor Garnett went pro in pickleball in 2022 and is one of the most competitive singles players in the PPA and Major League Pickleball
Learn more from Connor Garnett’s MLP and PPA bios
Follow Connor Garnett on Social
Follow Connor Garnett on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X/Twitter.
Rafa Hewett
Where’s Rafa from?:
Bradenton, FL
What’s his age?
Pro pickleball player Connor Garnett is 29 years old.
What’s his Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR)?
6.68 Doubles DUPR as of 2023
How Long Has he Been Playing Pickleball?
Rafa Hewett is the left handed pickleballer that has taken the sport by storm with 2 Major League Pickleball championships under his belt in 2022 alone. He went pro in 2019 and is notably one of the most passionate and iconic stars in all of professional pickleball.
Learn more from Rafa Hewett’s MLP and PPA bios
Follow Rafa Hewett on Social
Rafa Hewett is active on Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter
Check Out All of the Major League Pickleball Teams
The other pro pickleball teams playing in the MLP Premier League:
- Atlanta Bouncers
- AZ Drive
- Brooklyn Aces
- Chicago Slice
- Columbus Pickleball Club
- D.C. Pickleball Team
- Dallas Pickleball Club
- Miami Pickleball Club
- Orlando Squeeze
- Texas Ranchers
- Utah Black Diamondbacks
Keep Following Pro Pickleball
Between Major League Pickleball and the PPA tour, professional pickleball is picking up steam quick. Stay up to date on the latest pickleball news and developments with the Pickleball Savant.
Trying to go pro yourself? Check out the latest pickleball tips:
