George Rangelov becomes 8th player signed to PPA Tour from the All Florida Pro League
The All Florida Pro League continues to establish itself as one of the premier development pipelines in professional pickleball.
With George Rangelov officially signing with the PPA Tour this past week, the AFPL now has eight players who have earned PPA contracts. These players grinded through PPA Tour and Challenger events while developing in the All Florida Pro League, and are now eligible for the upcoming Major League Pickleball draft, the pinnacle of team pickleball where the best pros in the world compete.
Below are the eight players listed from most recent to earliest along with their Pro League journey and how they are doing on tour now. Make sure to follow them so you stay updated!
George Rangelov
George Rangelov becomes the eighth AFPL alum to sign with the PPA Tour. The 18-year-old singles standout out of St. Petersburg, Florida competed for the St. Pete Iceburgs during Season 2 of the All Florida Pro League, finishing 6th overall and earning 106 fantasy points.
Rangelov recently captured his first PPA Challenger gold medal in Punta Gorda and already owns wins over top PPA professionals Gabe Tardio and Grayson Golden. He is currently ranked 43rd in singles, 89th in mixed doubles, and 132nd in men’s doubles on the PPA Tour, marking a rapid rise for one of the youngest players in the professional ranks.
Valerie Simon
Valerie Simon was drafted in Season 2 of the All Florida Pro League by the Lakeland Palms. The 17-year-old out of Wesley Chapel, Florida substituted for the Fort Myers Flamingos for one stop before being picked up by the Miami Blaze, where she finished the season in 5th place.
Simon earned 136 fantasy points during the season and signed with the PPA Tour about a month ago. She is currently ranked 88th in singles, 127th in mixed doubles, and 111th in women’s doubles, continuing her transition from top junior prospect to full-time professional.
Christopher Crouch
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Christopher Crouch played for the Sarasota Manatees during Season 1 of the All Florida Pro League, helping lead the team to the season finals before falling to the Fort Myers Flamingos. The 25-year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida later won the PPA Challenger men’s doubles season title at the PPA World Championships, earning his PPA Tour contract.
Crouch is currently ranked 76th in men’s doubles, 75th in mixed doubles, and 126th in singles, establishing himself as a well-rounded and competitive presence on tour.
Ashley Griffith
Ashley Griffith competed for the Lakeland Palms during Season 2 of the AFPL, finishing in 4th place overall. The 25-year-old out of Tampa, Florida won two individual stops with the Palms and earned 105 fantasy points on the season.
Griffith has been competing consistently on both the PPA Challenger and PPA Tour circuits and is currently ranked 75th in singles, 76th in mixed doubles, and 74th in women’s doubles.
Jade Rau
Jade Rau played for the Fort Myers Flamingos in Season 2 of the AFPL, finishing 3rd overall and earning 90 fantasy points. Just 16 years old, the Naples, Florida native has quickly climbed the professional rankings.
She is currently ranked 69th in singles, 103rd in mixed doubles, and 134th in women’s doubles, positioning herself as one of the top junior players making the transition to the pro game.
Cailyn Campbell
Cailyn Campbell was drafted by the Miami Blaze at the start of Season 2 and played only two AFPL stops before earning her PPA Tour opportunity. The 15-year-old out of Palmetto Bay, Florida also competed with the SoCal Hard Eights during the most recent Major League Pickleball season and remains on their roster.
Campbell is currently ranked 31st in singles, 53rd in mixed doubles, and 56th in women’s doubles, making her one of the highest-ranked junior players in professional pickleball.
Brooke Caruso
Brooke Caruso competed for the Miami Blaze during Season 1 of the All Florida Pro League, helping the team finish 3rd overall. The 26-year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida owns recent wins over Julian Arnold and Judit Castillo.
She is currently ranked 77th in women’s doubles, 73rd in mixed doubles, and 137th in singles on the PPA Tour.
Lauren Hidalgo Smith
Lauren Hidalgo Smith played for the Lakeland Palms during Season 1 of the All Florida Pro League and was later drafted by the SoCal Hard Eights in the 2025 Major League Pickleball season. The 28-year-old out of Boynton Beach, Florida was one of the league’s earliest examples of successful progression from AFPL competition to the national professional stage.
From Florida to the Future
Eight players. Eight PPA contracts. One proven pathway.
The All Florida Pro League continues to bridge the gap between high-level regional competition and the national professional stage, and with every new signing, its impact on the future of professional pickleball becomes increasingly clear. Do you want to make it to the next level? Apply today.