He’s still shooting his shot.
“Bachelor” Grant Ellis sees his hoops career and finding love on a reality dating show similarly.
The Newark, NJ, native said watching himself date on TV reminds him of viewing videotapes of his basketball games.
“I look at it like I’m watching game tape of myself. And it’s really interesting to see what the connections look like on screen,” said Ellis, who played for Hudson Catholic High School, Iona University and professionally overseas.
Grant Ellis, a native of Newark, NJ, played basketball for Hudson Catholic High School, Iona University and professionally overseas. Disney
But the 6-foot-4 guard, who suffered an injury that derailed his playing career, can’t correct the moves he makes on the long-running ABC series as easily as he could on the court.
“I mean, by the time I’m seeing it, it’s too late. … It’s out there,” he said about his season of “The Bachelor,” which premieres on Jan. 27.
Ellis, 31, a day trader who now lives in Houston, misses some aspects of his Jersey hometown.
“My friends and the atmosphere. … It’s a big basketball state, so that’s what I miss,” he said. “But I don’t miss the cold weather and I don’t miss the taxes.”
He made his debut on the ABC franchise last year — as a contestant on “The Bachelorette,” after his mom Renee secretly submitted his application.
The self-proclaimed mama’s boy did watch some episodes from that season with his mother and grandmother, making sure to excuse himself when it was time for his on-screen make out sessions with leading lady Jenn Tran.
“That was definitely weird. I would just get up and act like I had to use the bathroom,” said Ellis, who made it all the way to Week 6.
When explaining to “Bachelor” producers the qualities he’s looking for in a wife, he said “somebody who was caring … with a good heart … who is outgoing.”
“I knew that the ladies that came on the season were going to be stunning. But for me, it was about what’s on the inside and how I could really relate to them and how our connection was.”
He also said it wasn’t a deal breaker if his partner isn’t a sports fan. “I’m into sports enough for the both of us,” he joked.
When explaining to “Bachelor” producers the qualities he’s looking for in a wife, Ellis said “somebody who was caring … with a good heart … who is outgoing.” Disney
Ellis’ season has a higher number of local contestants than usual — one from Queens, another from Brooklyn, four from Manhattan and one from New Jersey.
Although he didn’t request a city girl, he said producers may have been working behind the scenes to set him up for success.
“No, I didn’t. But New York is the finance capital of the world, so I think that maybe just in relation to my career, they tried to find a common ground,” he said.
After his season comes to an end, the reality star said he wouldn’t be opposed to competing on “Dancing with the Stars” — like some of his fellow “Bachelor” alums.
“I do love to dance. So, yeah, I would do ‘Dancing with the Stars,’” he said.
“I’ve got some pretty good hip movement, you know?”
