From the Court to the Roses: Grant Ellis’ Unbelievable Journey from Basketball Star to Reality TV Heartthrob

Grant Ellis never had time for love. As a freshman at Iona, he was laser-focused on basketball, fighting for his spot and perfecting his game. Relationships? A distraction. Fast forward to 2025, and the former hooper has traded sneakers for roses as the leading man in Season 29 of “The Bachelor.”

It’s a plot twist no one saw coming. Ellis first dabbled in reality TV as a contestant on “The Bachelorette” in 2024, making it to the final five before heartbreak struck. Now, the tables have turned, and he holds the power, choosing between two women on March 24. But behind the cameras and romantic getaways lies a story of grit, sacrifice, and resilience—a story that started in Newark, New Jersey, long before the world knew his name.

Ellis’ childhood was anything but picture-perfect. His father, Robert Ellis, introduced him to basketball at the age of eight, but the game became more than just a sport—it was his escape. With a father battling addiction and a household filled with tension, Ellis found solace on the court. “I lived, ate, and breathed basketball,” he recalls. It was more than passion; it was survival.

He hustled his way through Hudson Catholic High School, a two-star recruit with something to prove. College offers were scarce, but Iona took a chance on him. Ellis played for the Gaels, even making it to the NCAA Tournament, before transferring twice—first to Southern Jaguars, then to Albertus Magnus, where he truly shined. His talent took him overseas to the Dominican Republic, where he played professionally for four and a half years until a devastating injury shattered his career dreams.

With basketball ripped away from him, Ellis faced an identity crisis. “Your whole life revolves around the game, and then suddenly, it’s gone. What now?” He found his answer in finance, pivoting his career while caring for his ailing grandmother in Houston. Love was the last thing on his mind—until his mother stepped in.

Fed up with people asking about his love life, she secretly signed him up for “The Bachelor.” What started as a joke turned into a whirlwind reality TV romance. But Ellis approached the show like a game—watching footage, analyzing moves, preparing for each emotional play. “Being ‘The Bachelor’ takes resilience, just like basketball,” he says. “It’s reality TV, sure, but the pressure? The criticism? It’s real.”

Now, as fans eagerly await his final decision, Ellis is embracing something he spent years avoiding—balance. “I always thought I’d have fun after I made it. But life doesn’t wait for you. You have to live it now.”