Meet Brandon Hunter: Lead Coach at Times Square

If you’ve played at CityPickle before, chances you’ve seen Brandon Hunter are high. Brandon has been a coach with us since April 2025, and is such a big part of the CityPickle experience. Brandon is now Lead Coach at Times Square. Get to know Brandon!

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Reno, Nevada.

When did you move to NYC?

I moved to the NYC area in late summer/fall of 2023. It’s been a pretty wild and exciting transition from Nevada to New York, but I’ve loved being thrown into the energy and pace of the city.

What was your profession before pickleball?

I actually have a pretty diverse background. I have a background in business, including an MBA, and I’ve worked in health, fitness, office jobs, and entertainment/acting. I’ve always been drawn to work that involves people, performance, health, and creating experiences… which is probably why pickleball ended up being such a natural fit.

How did you get into pickleball?

I’ve played tennis since I was six, so I’ve always loved racket sports, as well as spearheading a ping pong club in college. I found pickleball a few years ago during the pandemic and got hooked pretty quickly.

What really pulled me in was that it wasn’t just about the sport itself… it was the way I felt while playing. I could zone out, be present, and enjoy being around the people I was playing with—the social aspect, the community, and how accessible it is to so many different people.

I started playing for leisure, then competitively, then coaching, and it naturally grew into a much bigger part of my life.

What’s your favorite part about being a coach at CityPickle?

The people, without a doubt. I love seeing that moment when something finally clicks for a player-whether it’s a technical adjustment, a strategic concept, or simply gaining the confidence to play their game.

I also love that CityPickle brings together such a diverse mix of people, with SO MANY different occasions and settings across each location. It’s pretty unrivaled. Every court has a different story in a way, and that keeps coaching fresh and exciting.

What’s your go-to lunch at CityPickle?

The smash burger! Hands down one of the best in the city. If I’m coaching back-to-back, I’m definitely prioritizing something like a kiwi and smoothie though, over anything!

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day on the court?

Time with my girlfriend and trying a cool new spot around the city. Overall, I just really enjoy anything that lets me slow down and reset with sleep, food or loved ones.

What’s your favorite CityPickle program to coach?

All of them! But if I had to choose one, maybe Intro to Pickleball. I love seeing brand new people to the game give it a shot.

There’s something really rewarding about taking a player and helping them understand the fundamentals and decision-making that can take their game to another level. Just being one of the first experiences for someone discovering the sport is pretty special.

What’s your “I can’t believe I actually did that” moment?

Probably realizing that something I originally got into for fun had turned into a career. I never really set out thinking, “I’m going to become a pickleball coach and build a life around this.”

It happened organically through playing, competing, coaching, meeting people, and saying yes to opportunities. Now I’m coaching in New York City and getting to do something I genuinely love for a living. That’s pretty surreal.

What’s one NYC trend you do not understand the hype behind?

Any hyped-up food that requires me to wait in a 30+ minute line. I’m all for experiences in the city, but sometimes I just want a good, quick sweet treat and to keep moving.

Keep your eyes out for Brandon, and book an Intro Clinic or lesson with him at our Times Square Club.