Who Is the New Bachelor? Get to Know Grant Ellis

The ball is now in Grant Ellis' court.

The former basketball player, who appeared on Jenn Tran's season of The Bachelorette, will have the power of the flower in his hands as the new lead of The Bachelor when season 29 premieres in 2025.

Ellis was announced as the upcoming star of ABC's reality dating show on Aug. 12 following his elimination during Tran's rose ceremony. He marks the franchise's second Black Bachelor, with Matt James being the first.

The timing of Eliss' elimination came just before hometowns and soon after he told Tran he was falling in love with her. “I poured everything out and it wasn't good enough,” he told the cameras. “It just sucks knowing that you feel some way about somebody, and they don’t feel the same about you."

Now, Ellis is ready to start a new chapter when his season of The Bachelor begins. "Ellis is eager to embark on a journey filled with romance, adventure, and genuine connections," ABC said in a statement. "He hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures."

Read on to learn more about the new Bachelor Grant Ellis.

He's from New Jersey

Grant Ellis is a New Jersey native who was raised in Newark, though he currently lives in Houston. He attended Iona College, where he doubled as a student-athlete.

He's a former professional basketball player

While at Iona College, Ellis played on the school's basketball team as a guard and forward. He also played for Southern University and Albertus Magnus College.

Following his run as a student-athlete, Ellis went on to play for the pros overseas. Per Business Insider, he spent time in Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

He works as a day trader

Ellis' days as a pro basketball player came to an end due to an unspecified injury, causing him to pivot his focus to a career in finance instead. "When life knocks you down, you have to be able to pivot,” he previously said on The Bachelorette.

“So, I ended up getting into the finance field," he continued. "And then, it’s been off to the races from there."

Now, Ellis works as a day trader. While he's "passionate" about his new career, his ABC Bachelor bio says "he loves watching the Lakers, going bowling, and singing his heart out at karaoke" when he "isn't hustling at his job."

He was on Jenn Tran's season of The Bachelorette

Ellis made his debut on the ABC dating reality competition when he appeared as a contestant on Jenn Tran's season of The Bachelorette. He was named lead of the upcoming season of The Bachelor soon after his elimination in August 2024.

In his final episode, Ellis shared with Tran that he was falling in love with her and revealed that he wants a family of his own. "I want to be happy. I want a wife. I want to be in love," he said during his farewell.

"I want that, you know?" he continued. "I want to give everything to somebody, and I want them to give everything to me in return. I don't know what else to say. I did not think that was going to happen tonight."

He's knows what he's looking for in a potential partner

Upon being announced the new Bachelor, Ellis gave fans a glimpse of the type of person he's looking for in a life-long partner. "I'm looking for a love that's kind and understanding," he said in a video shared on Instagram.

"Some qualities that I'm looking for in a potential partner is somebody who is adventurous, somebody who is affectionate and somebody who is loving," he wrote. "I can't wait for this incredible journey to kick off. It's going to be so fun, I hope you guys tune in!"