From Court to Reality: How Grant Ellis' Basketball Journey Shaped His Role as 'The Bachelor'

Former Iona Gaels guard Grant Ellis, once too focused on earning his spot to think about dating, is now the star of "The Bachelor." His journey from the basketball court to reality TV is a testament to the resilience and work ethic he cultivated through years of dedication to the sport.

A Focused Beginning

Ellis's early years were marked by a singular focus on basketball. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, he discovered his love for the game at eight years old. His father, Robert Ellis, introduced him to basketball, often taking him to local parks to play against older kids. Despite family turmoil and his father's struggles with addiction, basketball became Ellis's escape and shield from negative influences.

College and Professional Career

Ellis's talent led him to Hudson Catholic High School, where he was a standout combo guard. He earned a Division I scholarship to Iona College, becoming the first Hudson Catholic player in two seasons to achieve this honor. At Iona, Ellis earned a trip to the 2013 NCAA tournament, where the Gaels fell to Ohio State in the second round. After transferring to Albertus Magnus College, he continued to excel, averaging 19.1 points per game. Post-college, Ellis played professionally in the Dominican Republic for four and a half years before an injury prompted a career reassessment.

Transition to Reality TV

At a crossroads professionally, Ellis moved to Houston to be closer to his ailing grandmother. It was during this time that his mother signed him up for "The Bachelorette," setting the stage for his eventual role as "The Bachelor." Ellis approached the show with the same resilience and work ethic he honed on the basketball court, rewatching episodes like game film to improve his performance.

Life Lessons from Basketball

Ellis credits basketball with teaching him the art of resilience, a quality that has served him well in both his athletic and romantic endeavors. "Being a Bachelor takes a lot of resilience," Ellis said. "You have to go through a lot. It's a love story, but it's also reality TV, where you get harshly criticized."

A Balanced Approach to Life

Now, Ellis values the importance of balance, making time to experience love and life beyond the basketball court. "I pushed away a lot of things that I could have been doing because my mentality was like 'When I make it, that's when I'll have fun,'" Ellis said. "But you gotta have the balance of work and life, because if not, you're gonna be 40 years old and life is gonna pass you by."

Ellis's journey from the basketball court to reality TV is a compelling narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of balance.