“Chase nothing but pursue everything,” – Ty Ellis.
This is a quote that we all should understand. We are perpetually inspired by other people accomplishing things. Whether that’s a relative completing nursing school, a friend becoming a project manager, or, relevant to this feature, someone accomplishing their dream to become the next best basketball coach or player.
After a career spanning over two decades in professional basketball, former EuroLeague standout and current Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Ty Ellis hopes to continue living by this mantra and create his everlasting legacy. Utilizing his experience in professional basketball, his voice reverberates off the walls of gyms all around the world, teaching growth mindset, empowerment, and leadership through his company, The Ellis Performance Group.
“My legacy is serving people and helping people,” Ellis told The Lead. “Basketball is a conduit to do that. My talent is basketball, my gift is people. I’m very thankful to use basketball as a conduit to serve. When it’s all said and done, I want to be remembered as someone who was always willing to help people.”
Upbringing
Oak Cliff is one of the largest neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas. The once-separated city is known for the Texas Theatre, where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
It’s also the home of some incredible athletes, including Sha’Carri Richardson, Dennis Rodman, and Ty Ellis. While Ellis grew up surrounded by a beautiful family guided by faith, love, and compassion, childhood wasn’t always simple for him.
“I grew up with a serious speech impediment,” Ellis said. “I had a speech pathologist when I was in elementary school and didn’t talk much outside of my home until I was eight or nine. I answered all questions by shaking my head. By the grace of god, I managed to control my stutter and now I speak for a living.”
It took some spiritual and motivational words from his grandmother to shift his focus on the difficult matter.
“I asked her, Why did God choose me? I feel like I’m cursed. I can’t talk. I get teased. I get bullied. Why did he choose me? And she said one of the most powerful people in the Bible had a stutter, which is Moses.”
“She said, Every time you stutter, that’s God’s way of reminding you how special you are. She was the matriarch of the family. Whatever she said, I believed it. From there, I learned how to control my breathing and slow down.”
Dedicated to the Game
Ellis was always tall for his age. He knew he was destined for the game of basketball, playing competitively at a young age of five years old. He grew up loving Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Rolando Blackman, the star of the Dallas Mavericks.
“I remember my dad leaving the house at 5:00 in the morning and coming home at 7:00 at night,” Ellis said. “I was waiting for him to come home and shoot hoops or practice ball handling. They sacrificed for my brother and me. I see how I raise my family and how my brother raises his family. It’s all because we had great role models, in our parents.”
Ellis would take his basketball talents to David W. Carter Highschool where he was a starting shooting guard on a stacked team. Dedicated to the game, Ellis’ commitment was unmatched. “I was the kid who didn’t go out. While my friends were at parties, I was shooting at midnight and did sprints on my own. I was actually that kid.”
Superb in College
Ty Ellis would receive a scholarship to NAIA Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma. The do-everything guard was incredible in college. He scored the fifth most points in school history (1,822), and he finished his college career second in school history in threes made (248). His senior season was his best year. In the 2000-01 season, Ellis averaged 22.5 points and 6.0 rebounds on 47.2% shooting from the field.
Uncertain of how good he really was, Ellis recalled a game that gave him the realization that he might be good enough for the next level.
“I had a great senior year on the court. I was named All-American and Player of the Year,” said Ellis. “I was playing against Houston-Tillotson University. I saw these NBA scouts in the stands. I asked my coach why [are they there], and he said, ‘they are coming to see you, silly.’ So, I had a great game, and that was the moment I realized that maybe I can play professional basketball.”
NBA In Sight
Ellis, after a stellar college season and full of confidence, contacted the NBA’s Director of Scouting Services, Marty Blake, who was also the director of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
The PIT is a senior tournament held in Portsmouth, VA. Only seniors across the country are invited to play in front of all 30 NBA teams. It takes place shortly after the NCAA tournament. Players such as John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen have all participated in the PIT.
“[Marty Blake] politely said no,” said Ellis, who asked to join the PIT. “He said the tournament is for Division 1 players. So, I said okay thank you, sir, for your honesty. It hurt me, but it didn’t crush me.”
Channeling the “bend but don’t break” mentality, Ellis did everything he could to raise money to make it to Virginia on his own.
“I babysat, cleaned garages, and cut grass,” said Ellis. “I also worked as a video editing intern for Channel 4 News in Oklahoma [at that time].”
As the video editor, Ellis cut the tape of the sports feed. His edited tape was shown on live television. Ellis was unaware that this internship would end up being his key to basketball success.
“I made my own tape. I had a bio, and I took a backpack full of tapes and bios,” said Ellis. “I stayed at a crummy motel, but every single day I was at the gym [in Virginia]. I sat right by the scouts [at the tournament]. I probably handed out 80 tapes to these NBA scouts who were in attendance. I would say, ‘hi, I’m Ty Ellis, I wasn’t invited, please give me a chance,’ and I handed them a videotape.”
One Legendary Encounter, Potential Validated
Frustrated with striking out at the PIT, Ellis walked to the local YMCA and saw Mitch Kupchak, a former NBA player for the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers who was General Manager of the Lakers at the time. Elated to see such an influential NBA figure, Ellis had to shoot his shot.
“Mitch is like 6-foot-10, he’s known for being a rugged NBA player back in the day,” Ellis said. “He has this stoic face, and he never smiles. He’s all about business.”
“Mitch is on the elliptical. I’m kind of stalking him, waiting for him to get done with his workout, so I can talk to him. I go up to him and say, how are you Mitch? I met you earlier [at the PIT]. ‘You know, I really believe I can play at the next level. I just need one chance.'”
Kupchak obliged. He took Ty Ellis into the gym and worked him out, giving Ellis that singular chance at impressing he coveted.
After a gauntlet of shooting drills, sprints, and dribbling, Kupchak called Ellis two weeks later and offered him a spot on the Lakers’ summer league team. Ellis would have a great summer league and receive an invitation to the inaugural D-League draft showcase.
Do-It-All Playstyle Standout
The D-League showcase, held in Atlanta, was a collection of games on Saturday and Sunday. Cuts would happen throughout the week, and the draft would be held the following Friday.
“I was a scorer,” said Ellis. “When most people say score, they think put the ball in the basket. I was a complete scorer and what that means is if the person I’m guarding is averaging 20, he’s getting eight tonight. So now I’m plus 12.”
“If I draw two, and kick it and get four or five assists, okay, that’s a good game. On top of the fact I can shoot it. On top of the fact that I have a 40-inch vertical. So I was a complete player, and I took pride in that.”
Ellis utilized this “star in your role” playstyle to set himself apart from the competition at the D-League showcase.
“The first day, people were asking me, ‘where’s Southern Nazarene?’” Ellis said. “I paid attention to what the scouts were saying. Who were they talking about? Who do they like? Who has the momentum based on their NCAA career? When I played against those guys, I made sure to bring it to them. I would pick these guys up full court. Nobody was doing that, and if you think about it, during full-court defense, there are only two people the gym is watching.”
Ellis would make jumpers, dunk on people, and do the dirty work all at once in the showcase. Those same people asking where Southern Nazarene was were now asking why Ellis wound up there. The whole narrative had shifted on Ellis.
The Huntsville Flight ended up drafting Ellis and he had a good rookie season in the D-League. This play would earn him another summer league with the Dallas Mavericks.
Taking His Talents on a Global Tour
In 2002, Ellis was given an opportunity to play in Girona, Spain. He accepted, and while he was there, he faced off against Marc and Pau Gasol.
“I left Spain and went to Frankfurt for two years,” Ellis said. “We won a championship there, first ever championship in Frankfurt. The second year I was with them, we made it to Euroleague. That’s when my career took off financially.”
In 2005, with the Frankfurt Skyliners, Ellis averaged a Euroleague high 22.5 points per game. His dominant efforts would lead Ellis to sign a four-year contract with the Georgian National team. They were in the B-division of competition when Ellis got there. In the B-division tournament, Ellis would average 16.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. When he left, they were elevated to the A-division, which meant they could compete in the Olympics.
He spoke highly of a former teammate on the Georgian National team.
“The best player in the history of Georgia is Zaza Pachulia. He’s a phenomenal dude and a really good friend. I have a lot of love for the country of Georgia,” said Ellis.
Returning Home
Other destinations throughout Ellis’ career included Italy, Turkey, and Spain again. He would also have a brief stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“During my playing career, I played summer league every year except the last,” he said. “I wasn’t only trying to get into the NBA; I just loved to hoop during the summer.”
His experience overseas and his connections helped him earn an internship with an NBA team.
“The last three years, I interned as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns,” Ellis said. “I paid my own way, my own hotel. But the second year, they brought me back and paid for me. Same with the third year. I was always focused on retiring and transitioning into my next career seamlessly. All those years I interned as a coach really helped my resume. So when I did retire, I got right into coaching.”
Teammate to the Drawing Boards
In his last season in Spain, Ellis ruptured his Achilles tendon in the playoffs, setting up an uncertain outlook on his future.
“[In 2012] my wife and I were debating on if I should retire or rehab and go back to the team,” Ellis said. I was 34, and my body was breaking down. So I told my wife, I’ll put out a couple of feelers. If I get a coaching opportunity, I will retire. If not, I’ll go back and play.” Ellis wound up getting three job offers with the Thunder, Cavaliers, and Mavericks.
Ellis interviewed for the Thunder position to work under Sam Presti, which was a crazy full-circle moment for him.
“He said, ‘Hey man, I saw you play in college,’” Ellis recalled. “You saw me play in college? How’s that?”
[Sam Presti] told him, “Well, I was a scout for the Spurs at that time. I came and watched you play against Houston-Tillotson. I think you had like 43 points that game.” Ellis recalled, “You were the scout that I saw in the stands?”
Yes, the same scout that Ty Ellis was asking about that game against Houston-Tillotson was the coach sitting in front of Ellis and interviewing him.
Having blown Presti away on the court and now in an interview, Ellis prepared for his first coaching job in the G-League. He was everywhere, soaking in as much information and knowledge as he could.
His coaching experience includes a season (2016-17) as head coach for the NBA G League Northern Arizona Suns, and assistant coaching stints with the Bakersfield Jam (2015-16), Grand Rapids Drive (2014-15), Reno Bighorns (2013-14), and Tulsa 66ers (2012-13).
Admiring a Young Star in the League
Ellis kept moving up the ranks and became an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns (2017-18). While with the Suns, Ellis was in awe of a certain young superstar on the roster.
“I coached with Phoenix when Devin [Booker] was in his early twenties,” he said. “I remember him being extremely mature. He’s mature with his character and his work ethic. His game was mature as well. He was very purposeful and poised.”
“Most young men would be anxious, but he has an old soul. To see where Booker is now, I’m not surprised. I saw greatness in him a long time ago. You sometimes have rookies that are really good, but then they fizz out. But [Booker’s] mentor was Kobe. So, it made sense, right. Kobe would invest a lot of time and energy into Devin.”
Catalyst Behind Gabe Vincent’s Breakout Story in the NBA
In addition, he served as the head coach of G League Stockton Kings for two seasons (2018-20). He was highly successful in his two seasons leading Stockton, amassing 54 wins before the second season was canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
As the head coach of the Stockton Kings, Ellis was a significant influence in fan-favorite of the Miami Heat’s 2023 Finals run Gabe Vincent’s rise to the biggest stage in basketball.
To start his head coaching basketball career, Ellis was hit with a tough task. He had to either start Gabe Vincent or have him come off the bench.
In Vincent’s first year with Stockton he was shooting 20% from three and struggling with the increased pace of the game. The summer before Vincent’s second season with Stockton, Vincent had been balling out in Nigeria.
Ellis would end up bringing Vincent off the bench behind former Virginia standout Kyle Guy, since the Kings had just drafted Guy. At first, Vincent didn’t understand the decision, especially because he thought he needed playing time to have a shot in the NBA. Ellis had his reasons why he stayed with the decision to bring Vincent off the bench.
“For one, you’re going to play against a starter that’s in foul trouble and tired, or a second-string player that you’re way better than,” Ellis told Vincent. “He bought into it. I remember scouts asking me, ‘why is he not starting?’ I said, ‘he’s a total pro’.”
Vincent averaged 23.4 points, 53.8% on twos, 42.1% on threes, and 1.3 steals per game that season.
Gabe Vincent Shows His Pedigree
Ellis shared a story on what led to Vincent getting his first shot on an NBA team. A testament to Vincent’s professionalism and Ellis’ way of coaching his players.
“We are playing in the showcase and it’s in front of only NBA scout personnel,” Ellis said. “I’m a defensive guy. So during the game, Gabe plays horrible defense in the first half. The third quarter comes, and I bench him since he’s still not playing good defense.”
“His agent is livid. We win the game and I tell his agent, [Bill Neff], I’ll talk to him after I address the team. After I address the team, I work my way towards [Gabe and Bill]. Before I get to him, Gabe sprints past me and says, Bill that one was on me, I’ll be better, come on coach. [Gabe] took ownership.”
In the next game, Gabe Vincent proceeded to drop 35 points. Two weeks later, the Miami Heat called him. Ellis never coached him again.
Serving His Country from the Coach’s Bench
Not only did Ellis have an impact on G League players, he also had a role in USA basketball.
During the years coaching in the G-league, Ellis was always around USA basketball and was a significant contributor to his country whenever he could be. Ellis was an assistant coach to Jim Boylen’s USA World Cup Qualifying team in 2021. He also helped Jeff Van Gundy with the 2017 USA AmeriCup Team, claiming the 2017 FIBA Americas Championship. He has served a total of eight years to the USA Men’s Basketball teams.
Hesitation Leads to New Beginnings
The year 2020 was a tough one for everybody. It played a huge factor in whether or not Ellis would continue coaching or begin his path and legacy of helping people.
“I stopped coaching,” Ellis said. “I wanted to just coach people and serve people. When Kobe died, the league didn’t stop. They gave him 24 seconds of each shot clock. When COVID happened, everything stopped.”
“2020 gave me a clear vision of who I am. I didn’t go back to the Kings. I moved back home and started my own business, The Ellis Performance Group. That’s where my passion lies.”
Ellis wasn’t entirely out of the basketball realm during the hiatus. He was still coaching USA basketball during certain windows. He was still in the middle of it all.
But once Becky Hammon called about an opportunity, Ellis knew that he was not going to pass it up.
Belief in Becky
“Becky Hammon calls me last December or November,” Ellis said. “She heard about my defensive acumen. I’ve had opportunities to get back into coaching, but it didn’t feel right. This one felt right.”
“Working for Becky is a huge blessing. She allows you to be heard as an assistant. She wants to hear your [input]. She started from the mud. She started in Colorado State and had to make her way onto a WNBA team. Now she’s a hall of fame basketball player. She will be in the HOF for coaching as well.”
One of the great turnarounds in WNBA history, the Aces identity turned to defense at the most crucial time in the season, en route to a WNBA championship. Ellis, a defensive minded player and coach in his career, watched the Aces’ as a collective group focus on the defensive side of the ball.
“I want to give all the credit to [A’ja Wilson], [Jackie Young], and [Chelsea Gray] with their leadership and bringing the entire team together just to lock in,” Ellis said. It took us new coaches a little bit to kind of build that chemistry.”
“We added three new coaches and four new players, and it just took a little time, but that was a turning point where we finally started to trust each other,” Ellis continued. “The ladies started to lock in and do what they do best and play basketball. It was us collectively, although my focus is on the defensive end, I give the credit to the ladies on the team.”
Coaching the G.O.A.T.
Four-time MVP, three-time WNBA Champion, two-time finals MVP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year — Ellis has had the opportunity to coach the greatest player in the world. Coaching A’ja Wilson is something Ellis doesn’t take for granted. He says the stats and accolades go beyond the hardwood.
“As great as she is on the court, [A’ja Wilson] is even better off the court,” Ellis stated. “She has embraced the responsibility of being one of the best players, if not the best player on the planet. She’s just a total pro. She’s the easiest player I’ve ever coached. She is extremely gifted. I’m extremely blessed to be her coach, and she leads exceptionally well.”
“I think a big foundational piece to her success is that her parents, Eva and Roscoe Wilson, are phenomenal supporters. They’re great parents, and you can tell that she was raised with a level of accountability and ownership. She represents her parents and the Aces organization to the highest level.”
Spreading Knowledge Through His Own Experiences
Throughout his coaching journey, Ellis has seen a lot of talented guys get shown the door. Going through that experience himself, Ellis does his best to preach optimism to his unrecognized talents that he coaches.
“I tell them that your journey is yours,” Ellis stated. “Embrace the good and the bad. Only focus on what you can control. Understand that this is professional basketball, and this isn’t your last destination. Continue to work on your game and you’re going to find something new and better.”
He explained his own personal experience.
“I went to Europe, and I was a beast the rest of my career. I played with Kevin Garnett. I played on an NBA floor, and I got cut. It had nothing to do with basketball; it’s just business. I was on the wrong side of business. I’ve been on the good side of business, so why complain when I’m on the bad side?”
Appreciation for the Great Coaches of the Game
As a player, Ellis has had many coaches that he has appreciated over the years, helping him become the basketball savant he is now. He talked about those coaches that he has come to admire to this day, as he continues his coaching career.
“I looked up to my high school coach Rob Wright,” Ellis said. “I looked up to my college coach, Bobby Martin. Professionally, Chris Jent, when I was in the G League. I looked up to Mike Brown, Keith Smart, and Jim Boylen, all of whom coached with USA basketball. I now look up to Becky Hammon. I’ve grown a ton as a leader and communicator with Becky. To me, she’s my G.O.A.T.”
Courageous Approach
If someone were to ask a former NBA player turned coach, ‘What would you change about your life and how it panned out?’, the easiest way to answer the question would be to say, “I wish I had gotten to play in the NBA longer”.
That’s not the case with Ellis. His career is surrounded by the aspect of grit and determination. He grew up stuttering, he got cut from NBA teams, he cleaned garages and mowed lawns to make it to Virginia.
He was relentless in his pursuit of playing in the NBA, and he grinded in various summer leagues and internationally. All of these experiences shaped his life and helped him create a belief in himself. He now teaches this idea through his company. Through it all, he wouldn’t trade his life for anything.
“I really love the person I am right now,” said Ellis. “I had to go through those things to be the father I am, to be the husband I am, to be the son I am, to be the brother or friend I am. I wouldn’t change anything, to be honest with you.”
“This is what God wanted for me. I am the person I am today because I trusted him a long time ago. I loved growing up stuttering and the moments I was teased. I love being Ty, because right now I’m fearless.”
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