Thrive Pickleball is an energetic pickleball company that cultivates a thriving community of enthusiasts out of Long Island, NY.
Contact Coach Gus
Thrive Pickleball is an energetic pickleball company that cultivates a thriving community of enthusiasts out of Long Island, NY.
Contact Coach Gus
Gustave Karagrozis / @thrivepickleball /34
CEO of Thrive, living in Lindenhurst ( until his fiancé steals him and he moves to GA) first picked up a paddle during COVID, mostly because he was bored and missed bullying people with a badminton racket. He hasn’t put the paddle down since (seriously, someone check his grip). When he’s not playing pickleball, he’s running, cycling, or doing every fitness activity known to mankind, powered solely by enthusiasm and probably too much C4. His energy is so loud you can hear it before you actually see him, like a human airhorn of motivation. Thrive basically launched the Long Island Pickleball tournament scene, hosting the biggest one with over 230 teams, including a single division with a ridiculous 45 teams, it could have qualified for its own zip code. Gustave is IPTPA Level 2 certified, a full-time physical education teacher, and part-time hype machine.
Daniel Burgos / @burgospickleball /26
Currently grinding at Pickleball Heaven, yes, it’s as holy as it sounds. Focused on leveling up on the court and in life. Always learning, always evolving, always hungry… mostly for snacks between games.
Suren Godoy / @Rockpickleball /46
4.0-ish depending on the moon phase and breakfast choices. He is based in Queens, NY. His home court is the very prestigious (to him anyway) Glen Oaks outdoor court. During winter his migration route js Alley Pond → Gold Coast → Queens College
James Figueroa / @james.figueroa1 /19
Currently battling for glory at PBX. He improves his self daily, whether it’s competing or just remembering where he left his keys. Goal: 1% better every day (0.73% on weekends)
Qasim Dustgir /43
Qasim jumped from cricket and tennis into pickleball in 2023 and apparently forgot he was supposed to start slow, he rocketed to a 4.5 doubles rating on that DUPR thing that we all love and trust and now chases tougher competition like it owes him money. You’ll spot him battling it out in advanced tournaments across New York, steadily becoming that guy everyone suddenly recognizes on court.
Connor Donnelly / @rootedocean /36
36-year-old ex–tennis star (in our minds, at least) who defected to pickleball 3 years ago and never looked back. Fueled by White Claw and emo nostalgia. If the ball isn’t hit at 100 mph, is it even worth hitting? Dinks are theoretical; power is mandatory. Indoor Court - Pickleball Hall / Outdoor - Casamento
Jordan Slavens / @jordansean /35
NJ born and raised, moved to NY in 2013 and still can’t parallel park here. Sweet Hollow Park is his home court, mostly because they haven’t banned him yet. Off the court he is cooking meals for the family (sometimes edible) or adventuring with his wife and their bernedoodle, who is definitely the real boss of the house until his little boy comes in April!
Alyssa Leonard / @alysssaleonard /33
Bay Shore, NY native and former Division I Collegiate All-American/2x National Champion, professional and national level lacrosse player.. we wont talk about her declaration of independence long list of HS accolades in softball, volleyball, basketball and lacrosse.. but apparently she still didn't get enough trophies, so she picked up pickleball. Alyssa has been a competitive athlete since basically forever and has been playing pickleball for about three years long enough to know she’s hooked. Now based in Seattle, WA and battling it out at Sideout Tsunami, she brings elite athleticism, intensity, and a mildly terrifying competitive spirit to every match.
Lauren Williams /@lawilliams_12 /33
For Lauren, pickleball isn’t just a hobby, it’s basically her entire personality. She teaches it, plays it, organizes events for it, and we’re pretty sure she dreams in dinks and drop shots. The woman practically lives on the court. If the lights are on, she’s playing. Honestly, probably if they’re off too. Competitive? Oh yes. Fun? Absolutely...as long as she’s winning. And her favorite shot? The ever-glorious “twoey” .. because normal fore/backhands are too mainstream. Some people binge shows; Lauren binges pickleball technique videos and it shows on the court as she is one of the best women in the Long Island pickleball scene.
Hilary Noren / @hilarynoren /51
Hilary Noren, lover of pickleball and social media queen. She fell in love with the game about 3-ish years ago and still obsessed, especially with the amazing community that somehow still invites her back. She plays competitive tournaments, women’s and mixed doubles, alongside her fabulous, fearless partners. She is a solid 4.0, but honestly if she is on a court, laughing, and getting her daily dose of pickle-chaos, it’s already a great day.
Dieu Cal-Hsiu /51
Wife, mom, teacher, and full-time pickleball enthusiast (her paddle has more followers than I do). When she is not grading papers or smashing dinks on the court, she is co-hosting the podcast Salty Pickles with her partner-in-crime Alexis, where they serve up laughs, banter, and maybe a few briny secrets.
Melanie Berenson / @mvberenson /32
You can call her Mel if you don’t want to waste extra syllables, hooked on pickleball since July 2021. Garden City resident & LIPC Melville regular. She specializes in mixed doubles with her husband, Chris, mostly because he’s stuck with her for life. Big fan of drinks at the kitchen line… and snacks in the actual kitchen.
Rachel Fajiram / @rachelfajiram /25
Alexa Scaglione / @alexascaglionee /25
Residing in West Islip but a North Babylon native, she is now a part-time “4.0” pickleball star (the quotation marks are carrying the rating), full-time Thrive graphic magician. Her dinks are decent, but her graphic designs? Absolutely unreturnable. Hire her, she’s worth every penny and fun to bother through text!