Meet the Iconics

  • As the son of Italian immigrants, Mario grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Whether it was a puck, a soccer ball, or a basketball, Mario has always been a natural athlete. He received a college scholarship for basketball and played premier recreational soccer until he was 48 years old.

    Mario ran a Honda/Acura dealership in his hometown for 27 years and received the Honda Council of Excellence Award for his leadership and service to Honda and Acura. In 2018, he moved to the United States to be with his wife, Jen. Together, in 2019, they founded their business, The Boschi Group—a career coaching and consulting company.

    In 2020, Mario received his Level II Pickleball Instructor Certification (IPTPA). He has taught in Steamboat Springs and Denver, Colorado, and is currently the Head Pro for Pickleball at Club Greenwood in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Additionally, he teaches clinics in Key Biscayne, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado. In 2023, Mario and Jen joined the NPL family as co-owners of the Denver Iconics, and Mario currently plays on the team.

  • Gina Cilento, a top-ranked Senior Pro, is a powerhouse on the pickleball court and a game-changer in the sport. An APP multi-medalist in gold, silver, and bronze, she is a Parrot Paddle-sponsored player and a standout on the APP Senior Pro Pickleball Tour, competing in mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and singles. Gina was the first-round female draft pick for the Indy Drivers in 2024 for the National Pickleball League and will be playing with the Denver Iconics for the 2025 season.

    Off the court, Gina is just as unstoppable. A top-tier coach with a waitlist for her sold-out clinics, she co-founded The Pickleball Lab in Cedarburg, WI—a private indoor training facility where players sharpen their skills. She also recently launched The Pick, an athleisure apparel line offering stylish and comfortable pickleball-inspired fashion.

    Gina keeps it real as the co-host of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, a bold and unfiltered podcast powered by Empower Pickleball, where she tackles the sport’s toughest topics and explores how to make pickleball fun again. She’s also shaking up the corporate world with team-building events, leading exclusive pickleball getaways with Sandals Resorts, and breaking barriers with the Peaceful Prisons Project—using pickleball to build connections between inmates and correctional staff.

    From the court to the airwaves and beyond, Gina is on a mission to grow the game, challenge the status quo, and make pickleball more exciting for everyone.

  • Adam Kahn is a competitive 62-year-old pickleball player with a long history in racquet sports, including tennis, racquetball, squash, and pickleball. He began playing tennis at age 9 and became a nationally ranked junior player before shifting his focus to racquetball.

    Adam played professionally on the RMA Pro Tour for five years and reached a top-40 world ranking. He later returned to tennis, earning national senior rankings in the 55 and over Open division, including No. 3 in doubles in 2018 and No. 4 in doubles in 2019.

    Since beginning pickleball in 2023, Adam has won several senior 5.0 medals, including a Triple Crown at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Championships.

    Adam has also helped grow pickleball nationwide. After selling his 20-year indoor tennis club business in Colorado, he founded 3rd Shot Pickleball Clubs, a growing chain of indoor pickleball facilities with six locations across Colorado, Nevada, and Indiana.

  • Dan Granot began playing pickleball in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the top senior players in the country. Since 2019, Dan has consistently maintained a national top-10 APP ranking and continues to compete at the highest level in both men’s and mixed doubles.

    His career highlights include finalist finishes at the US Open, becoming the first player in 2025 to be ranked inside the top 10 in both the APP Champions and Masters divisions for men’s and mixed doubles, and winning the 2026 US Open Men’s Doubles title in the Masters division.

    Dan is proud to return to the Denver Iconics, the team where he began his NPL career during the league’s inaugural season.

  • Ann Corson is a near-native Coloradan who has spent most of her life in Colorado. A lifelong athlete, she grew up playing a variety of sports before tennis became her passion, eventually leading her to compete at the Division I level for Colorado State University.

    After spending time on both coasts in her 20s, Ann returned home to Colorado, where she raised her three children. She was introduced to pickleball in 2022 and was quickly drawn to the sport’s unique mix of community, competition, and athletic challenge.

    Today, Ann is a pickleball teaching pro at 3rd Shot Pickleball in Longmont, Colorado, where she enjoys helping players grow their skills and love for the game. In 2024, she competed at the Houston Combine and won the event, earning her spot on the Denver Iconics. Proud to represent her hometown team, Ann is excited to return for her second consecutive season as a Denver Iconic.

  • Gail Hook is a Hall of Fame athlete for Rockville High School located in Rockville, Maryland and an accomplished basketball coach with decades of experience at the high school, collegiate, professional, and international levels. A former All-Region player at the University of Maryland and the University of Colorado, she was also a National Collegiate Runner-Up Champion and played professionally in Australia, Russia, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

    Over a 27-year coaching career in Colorado, Gail recorded 485 wins, 10 league titles, eight Elite Eight appearances, four Final Fours, four state runner-up finishes, and one state championship. Her coaching experience also includes the WNBA Charlotte Sting, USA Basketball gold medal teams at the 2011 and 2012 FIBA Americas Championships, Purdue University, and Erie High School.

    Known for building winning cultures and developing confident, high-character athletes, Gail continues to mentor and empower the next generation of leaders in sports.

  • Previously ranked in the Top 10 in Senior Pro Singles and Top 15 in Doubles—with multiple national gold medals—‘PiclRich’ has always been active in sports.

    In addition to his Pickleball Pro status, he has been a tennis pro, golf pro, and a badminton and table tennis champion, with over 20 years of coaching experience.

    After serving 30 years in full-time ministry as a pastor and missionary, Rich moved to Tennessee where he made a career change—finally settling on pickleball, with no intention of picking up any more sports now...

  • Adam Johnson brings athleticism, coaching experience, and high-level competitive success to the Denver Iconics. Originally from Lafayette, Indiana, Adam grew up as a multi-sport athlete, competing in basketball, tennis, and track and field. He earned All-Conference honors in both tennis and track, with two of his high school track records still standing today.

    A lifelong Purdue Boilermakers fan, Adam went on to attend Purdue University, where he walked on to the track team and earned a degree in Kinesiology. After graduating, he discovered a passion for teaching and training, eventually moving to Colorado and spending nearly a decade as a successful corporate trainer.

    Adam found pickleball in 2018 and quickly became one of Colorado’s top players. He competes at the 5.0 and professional levels across the country, earning medals at APP and PPA events and qualifying for two pro main draws.

    In 2021, Adam left the corporate world to launch his own pickleball coaching business. His popular “Live Ball” classes have become some of the most sought-after in Colorado, drawing players from across the state and beyond. Known for his energy, clear communication, and ability to connect with players of all levels, Adam creates a fun, competitive environment where players improve and enjoy the process.

    Off the court, Adam enjoys hiking around Colorado with his Caribbean rescue dog, Hazy. The Denver Iconics are excited to have Adam representing the team this season.

  • Daria brings a strong competitive spirit, leadership, and passion for the game to the Denver Iconics. Born in Canada and now based in the mountains of Western Colorado, Daria has built an impressive pickleball résumé, earning multiple PPA 5.0 medals, including silver and bronze at the 2023 5.0 Nationals and a 5.0 Triple Crown at the 2023 US Open.

    Beyond her own tournament success, Daria is committed to helping others grow through the sport. Through EmpowHER Pickleball and international women’s retreats, she helps players build technical skills, confidence, and a stronger sense of community. Her background in club and high school volleyball, both as a player and coach, continues to influence her leadership style and competitive approach.

    Off the court, Daria is a Board-Certified Doctor of Audiology, wife, mother of five, and grandmother. She enjoys travel, hiking, and reading, and brings the same energy and enthusiasm to life that she brings to pickleball. The Denver Iconics are excited to have Daria representing the team this season.

  • Bradley Draper brings experience, dedication, and a strong competitive background to the Denver Iconics. A native of Ogden, Utah, Bradley has built an impressive career both on and off the court. He is a graduate of the University of Utah, St. Louis University School of Medicine, and earned his PhD from Vanderbilt University.

    In addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, Bradley is a U.S. Navy veteran and served a two-year mission in Austria for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife have been married for 37 years and are proud parents of three sons and grandparents to five grandchildren.

    Bradley has been playing pickleball for 10 years and has found plenty of success in tournament play. Away from the court, he enjoys spending time with family, skiing, cycling, music, and tennis. He is proud to be part of the Denver Iconics and looks forward to representing the team this season.

  • Graham McDaniel grew up in the south Denver area and has spent a lifetime competing, coaching, and helping others achieve their goals through sports. A standout athlete at Littleton High School, Graham earned First Team All-Colorado honors in football in 1991 before continuing his career at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was a two-time All-Conference wide receiver in 1994 & 1995.

    Today, Graham is one of the top Senior Pro pickleball players in Northern Colorado. He is also a teaching professional at Zero Zero Two in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he enjoys sharing his passion for the game and helping players of all ages and skill levels improve both their performance and enjoyment of pickleball.

    Known for promoting the principles of "Responsible Pickleball," Graham believes success comes from smart decision-making, continuous learning, and building a positive community around the sport.

    When he's not competing or teaching, Graham enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Jen, and their four wonderful children. He is proud to represent the Denver Iconics and looks forward to contributing both on and off the court.

  • Robin is a retired competitive tennis player from the Las Vegas area who brings a lifelong passion for racquet sports to the Denver Iconics. At 59, she is proud to be entering her second year in the Champions Series Pickleball League, where her competitive drive, love for the game, and team-first mindset continue to shine.

    As a member of the Iconics, Robin is excited to compete at a high level, contribute to the team’s success, and support her teammates both on and off the court.

  • Mark was a four-year scholarship athlete and scholar-athlete in tennis at The Ohio State University. He now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife of 30 years and competes in pickleball locally, regionally, and nationally.

    After elevating his game to the Senior Pro level in 2022, Mark began competing professionally in APP and PPA events while continuing to sharpen his craft. His success includes winning gold at the 2025 US Open in 60+, earning bronze at the 2026 Masters Pro, and being a member of the league-winning DelRays in the Legends League.

    Mark’s passion for the sport also led him to start Premier Pickleball, where he teaches, coaches, and inspires players of all ages. His dedication to the game has earned him a sponsorship with JOOLA and an invitation to join Team JOOLA.

    When he is not traveling for tournaments, JOOLA events, or with his wife, Mark spends his time as a practicing neurosurgeon. Mark is proud and excited to be part of the Denver Iconics.