Three-time WNBA champion and JOOLA-sponsored athlete Jewell Loyd visited the brand's signature retail store over the weekend in North Bethesda, MD.

Loyd, who partnered with JOOLA in February 2024, was on site to sign autographs, take photos, and engage with fans during an exclusive community event focused on encouraging people to get involved in pickleball.

The Las Vegas Aces guard is a passionate ambassador for America's fastest-growing sport, both as a competitive player and as a co-owner of MLP's Miami Pickleball Club.

Loyd is committed to expanding pickleball’s reach and visibility, so when she’s not on the basketball court, it’s no surprise to find her with a JOOLA paddle in hand.

"Having different outlets is super vital for me. You need a break when you're always in grind mode. Sometimes you need to get outside your comfort zone to open up your mind a little bit and relax," Loyd told ABC 7 News - WJLA for a report published on Sunday.

"Some people might think, 'Oh, you play another sport. It's not really relaxing.' But for me, it really is, because it's challenging me in different ways. I'm around different people, so I'm learning constantly from other people."

Loyd’s interest in pickleball came just three years ago.

It was actually sparked by a match that didn’t go her way.

"I'm getting destroyed by these older women, and we felt super embarrassed. After that, we were just playing as much as we could," Loyd said. "I got addicted to it."

She was immediately drawn to the game’s inclusivity.

That quality made it especially unique.

"I think pickle is one of the only sports that you could have a six-year-old playing with a 30-year-old who's playing with a 60-year-old who's playing with someone who has never even known what the sport is about," Loyd noted.

The University of Notre Dame product is one of the most decorated professional athletes of her generation.

She was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, an Olympic gold medalist, and a cornerstone of the Seattle Storm for nine seasons. She earned Rookie of the Year honors and helped lead the Storm to WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020. In 2025, she joined the Aces and played a pivotal role in securing another WNBA title.

Loyd was nicknamed "Gold Mamba" by the late Kobe Bryant as well.