It’s Dancing with the Stars season, and while I’m still wiping my tears from watching Robert Irwin’s dedication night dance, it got me thinking: If pro pickleball athletes were on the show, who would they be paired up with and how would they do?

Ben Johns and Emma Slater

Of course we have to start with Ben Johns, the pro pickleball G.O.A.T. I’ve never seen him dance (though I know he has great taste in music), but I think he would do quite well for the first few weeks. Nevertheless, Slater would really have to help him use his hips like Shakira. Ben would have a blast the entire time, but be happy when he was eliminated to go back to his regular pickleball routine. 

Anna Leigh Waters and Ezra Sosa

Anna Leigh Waters' incredible intensity and competitive nature would be clutch on the dance floor. With the right partner, I think Waters could win the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. With a partner like Ezra Sosa, who would choreograph some incredible dances that go viral on TikTok, Waters could definitely best the competition. And just think about how fabulous Mama Waters’ outfits would be when she’s sitting in the crowd. 

Anna Bright and Brandon Armstrong

Anna would take this competition seriously and have way too much fun at the same time. She’d share her blisters from her heels on her Instagram stories, and be the best of friends with Brandon. They’d make hilarious TikToks, and the audience would be shocked to see Bright doing the splits at the end of a Cha-Cha. 

Christian Alshon and Whitney Carson

Christian may look like any other pro athlete, but I think there’s a sparkle of showbusiness just waiting to come out. He's a showman after all. I think he’d have a slow start, but mid-way through the moves would finally click and he’d be a star. Just think about Alshon as the leading man in a salsa. And judge Bruno Tonioli would LOVE him. 

Hunter Johnson and Britt Stewart

I would want Hunter to make it far enough to have a trio night featuring his twin brother, Yates, that leaves everyone in the ballroom jumping to their feet for applause. Britt would be so excited to finally have a young and teachable partner that her choreography would be complex and fun – though nothing Hunter couldn’t handle. After all, we’ve seen some of his moves. 

Hurricane Tyra Black and Pasha Pashkov

I think Tyra would absolutely give Anna Leigh a major run for her money on the dancefloor. In the first few weeks, Tyra would technically be amazing, but the judges would want her to open up and be a bit more vulnerable. Then, Pasha would choreograph a beautiful and emotional contemporary performance that leaves everyone in the audience in tears. Tyra could add the performance to her highlight reel and earn some extra votes. 

Parris Todd with Val Chmerkovskiy 

Parris would basically be like Alix Earle from this season, and tell me she’s not a perfect match for Val Chmerkovskiy. She would be a great dance student, quickly learning proper frame, and utilizing her long, lean form to her advantage. Parris dancing a Viennese waltz? I have chills.  

Tyson McGuffin and Daniella Karagach 

Tell me Tyson and Daniella wouldn’t absolutely slay on the dance floor. He has incredible performance quality, and Daniella could help use his personality to his advantage. Then, Tyson would have a blast on Disney Night where he’d perform a jive to his kids’ favorite songs and it’d be 10s across the board. 

Catherine Parenteau and Alan Bersten

This duo would be everyone’s favorite partnership on Tuesday nights. Their technique wouldn’t be the best, but they would have so much heart and charm to their dances that people would root for their success. Then, Catherine would have a breakout moment with a Foxtrot and everyone would be in awe. 

Jaume Martinez Vich and Jenna Johnson

I think Jaume would get the call to go on DWTS, turn it down, then once he found out that Tyson was a part of the cast, he’d join and spend half the season running down the hall to the other pros’ dance studios pulling pranks and trying to distract the competition. But when it comes time for Jaume to actually dance, his natural rhythm and flare would make him the heartthrob of the season. Jenna would just attempt to keep him focused on the dance. 

How do you think your favorite pro pickleball player would do in the ballroom? Let us know on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).