Before he was handing out roses on national television or navigating the high-stakes world of day trading, Grant Ellis was a monster on the hardwood. Honestly, most people only know him as the charismatic lead from The Bachelor season 29, but his athletic roots run deep. He wasn't just some guy who played a little pickup ball; he was a legitimate professional athlete who grinded through the college ranks to reach the pro level.
He's a Newark, New Jersey native. That matters. If you know anything about Jersey hoops, you know it's a different kind of intensity. Grant grew up in that environment, sharpening a skill set that eventually took him across the globe.
From Jersey Roots to Division I Hoops
Grant Ellis started making waves at Hudson Catholic Regional High School. This wasn't some small-time program. During the 2011-2012 season, he helped lead the Hawks to a staggering 25-3 record. They went a perfect 13-0 in league play. He was a 6'5" wing with a massive wingspan and a "slasher" mentality.
College scouts noticed. He earned a scholarship to Iona University, a Division I program known for its high-octane offense.
It wasn't all sunshine, though.
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The jump to D1 is brutal. During his freshman year (2013-14), Grant appeared in 17 games but only averaged about 2.9 minutes per outing. He was a role player, a "rookie" trying to find his footing in a system that demanded perfection. He stayed for a second year, but the minutes didn't exactly skyrocket. He eventually made the tough choice to transfer, looking for more floor time. He spent a brief stint at Southern University before finding his true collegiate home.
Finding His Rhythm at Albertus Magnus
Everything clicked when Grant landed at Albertus Magnus College. This is where he went from a bench player to a focal point. He wasn't just on the team; he was the team.
During the 2016-17 season, his stats were, frankly, ridiculous. Look at these numbers:
- 19.1 points per game (second on the team)
- 92.2% free-throw percentage (led the entire league)
- 5.1 rebounds per game
- 36.6% from three-point range
He dropped 39 points in a single game against Saint Joseph’s of Maine. Imagine that. He was a Second Team All-GNAC selection and made the GNAC All-Tournament Team. At Albertus, Grant wasn't just a "slasher" anymore. He had become a deadly efficient scorer who could hurt you from the stripe or the arc. He graduated in 2017 with a degree in criminal justice, but his sneakers weren't ready for the closet yet.
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The Professional Grind in the Dominican Republic
Most college players stop after graduation. Grant didn't. He took his talents to the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto (LNB) in the Dominican Republic.
Playing pro ball overseas is a different beast. It’s physical. It’s lonely. The fans are intense. Grant played there for about four and a half years. Think about that longevity. He wasn't a "cup of coffee" pro; he survived multiple seasons in a league that eats players alive. He’s been open about the reality of his game, though. In later interviews, he admitted he dreamed of the NBA but realized the "natural talent" gap. He said, "I can shoot, and I can jump, but I’m not that athletic" compared to the freak-of-nature 1% in the NBA.
Still, he was a paid professional athlete. That’s a title only a fraction of a fraction of players ever earn.
Why the Jersey Slasher Stopped Playing
The end came because of an injury. It’s the same old story that breaks every athlete's heart. After nearly five years of professional play, his body signaled it was time.
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He didn't mope. He pivoted.
Grant moved to Houston and dove into finance. He’s talked about how he lost everything in the market during his first three years as a day trader. He applied that same "gym rat" mentality to the S&P 500. He studied. He failed. He stayed in the "film room" of finance until he figured it out.
Actionable Insights from Grant's Career
Grant Ellis's sports career is a case study in the "pivot." If you're an athlete or professional looking at his trajectory, there are a few real-world takeaways:
- The Power of the Transfer: Grant didn't let a lack of minutes at a D1 school define him. He moved to a place (Albertus Magnus) where he could actually play and showcase his talent. Sometimes you have to take a step "down" in division to take a step "up" in your career.
- Master a "Niche" Skill: His 92% free-throw shooting wasn't an accident. In any career—sports or business—having one nearly perfect metric makes you indispensable.
- Resilience is Transferable: The discipline required to survive four years of pro ball in a foreign country is exactly what allowed him to survive a three-year losing streak in day trading.
Grant Ellis may be the "Bachelor" now, but his identity was forged in Newark gyms and Dominican arenas. He’s proof that the "pro athlete" title is a foundation, not a final destination.
If you are looking to track your own athletic progress or transition into a new career path, start by identifying your "niche" skill—much like Grant’s free-throw shooting—and double down on it to build your personal brand.