Top 5 New Jersey Athletes & Potential Picklers
New Jersey is home to its fair share of star athletes. Whether they were born here, grew up here or played professional sports in our state, our list of top 5 athletes would compete with any country, let alone any state in America. So it got us thinking about why these phenomenal athletes would also be great at pickleball. Here goes...
Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball: LA Lakers (Born in Newark, NJ) Born and raised in Newark, Shaq is not only one of the best basketball players of all time, but his personality and sheer size has made him one of the most well-known people on the planet. As for how Shaq's abilities would translate to pickleball, at over seven feet tall, his reach at the kitchen line would be incredible so you better keep your dinks close to the net. Also, NEVER try lobbing him.
Derek Jeter - Baseball: New York Yankees (Born in Pequannock, NJ) The 5-time World Series champion and humble captain of the nearby New York Yankees was known for his calm, class, and cool under pressure. He was also an amazing shortstop and hitter, which should give him the kind of soft and quick hands that are required for resets and firefights.
Carli Lloyd - Soccer: US Women's National Team (Born in Delran, NJ)
This two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women's World Cup champion and FIFA Player of the Year was not only born and raised in Delran, NJ, but she also attended Rutgers University. As one of the best soccer players of all time, we're pretty confident that she would have some amazing footwork.
Lawrence Taylor - Football: New York (plays in Jersey) Giants
Widely regarded as one of the top few football players of all time, Lawrence Taylor was known as a powerful and ferocious linebacker who could literally wreck a game for opposing offenses. Well, if you can be an imposing player up at the kitchen, then you too can wreck a game for the other team in pickleball too.
Carl Lewis - Track & Field (Grew up in Willingboro, NJ)
Often thought of as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Carl Lewis won 9 Olympic gold medals and 10 world championship medals in events including the 100m dash (useful for chasing down lobs) and the long jump (just imagine what his Ernes would look like ).
Honorable Mentions:
Mike Trout - Baseball: LA Angels (Born in Vineland, NJ, grew up in Millville, NJ)
Considered to be the best baseball player on earth for many years, Trout's lack of team success, and the fact that he played his whole pro career in California, just barely knocked him out of our top 5.
Karl-Anthony Towns - Basketball: NY Knicks (Born in Edison, NJ, grew up in Piscataway, NJ)
Karl-Anthony was the #1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft and has already had a nice NBA career. He just came over to the Knicks this past year and is playing great. If he winds up winning a championship with the Knicks, then he'll be a legend around these parts!
