New Aces assistant Ty Ellis says right environment has him embracing new role
Las Vegas Aces assistant Ty Ellis speaks to an assembly during a Black History Month event at The Meadows School on Feb. 11, 2025. PHOTO Courtesy: LV Aces
By W.G. RAMIREZ
Ty Ellis had stepped away from full-time coaching in 2020 and knew what it would take for him to return to the sidelines.
First, it would take the right environment, one that embraced his family values and the type of vibe that instills faith and hope into the athletes he'd be coaching.
Second, it would be an answered prayer since he turns many of life's choices over to God, leaning on his own faith to guide him.
Ellis found both in Las Vegas, as an assistant to Becky Hammon with the Aces.
"I've literally prayed for this environment, and also when your want aligns with His will," Ellis said recently during a Black History Month event at The Meadows School. "And so for me to be here is way more than basketball. I've prayed. I've had interviews (with) different NBA teams, Power 5 teams. Some didn't want me, some I didn't want them. But the ones that didn't want me, I prayed, 'If this is not what you want God, take it away.'
"And for me to be here, it happened in a total of eight days. I didn't know Becky, I didn't know anybody. But when God has a plan, his plan is perfect."
For the past eight years, Ellis has served as an assistant coach with several USA Basketball men’s teams, including the 2017 gold medal-winning USA AmeriCup Team. In 2021, he co-founded The Ellis Performance Group, an optimal performance consulting firm specializing in growth mindset, leadership, and empowerment, with his wife, Ericka.
Thus, after starting his own business, traveling the country and speaking to gatherings with no immediate desire to get back into coaching, Ellis credits remaining "obedient" until "God just showed up and showed out."
Now, Ellis said he and his wife have enjoyed becoming a part of the community, along with their 14-year-old son Tyler.
And in embracing the event at The Meadows, hosted and emceed by students in the Black Student Alliance, it further confirmed he made the right choice.
"It means that I'm home," he said. "My wife and I, we are purchasing a home here. This is not a stop for us. Having been a part of the Henderson community and the support from the Aces is unbelievable. And so I thank the fans."
Ellis said he certainly understands the disappointment in the free-agency trades and movement that have affected the Aces, but also knows that's the business of basketball.
Where Ellis respects Hammon and the culture she's helped build within the franchise is that standards remain the same.
"The first meeting I had with Becky, she says, 'I could have been better last year,'" he added. "To have a leader who takes ownership and doesn't point the finger. I consider myself a strong leader because I'm an intentional follower. And for me to follow her lead, I'm honored. I've been in interviews with NBA teams and it's, it's a bravado contest with some people, but I didn't get that with (Aces president) Nikki (Fargas) and Becky.
"So I'm extremely happy to be here. I didn't know Vegas had all this love. Because when you come here, you either lose or win, go home, whatever. But this is home for us now, and I'm really excited."
It's not as if the Aces' cupboard is bare.
They remain one of the favorites to win the 2025 WNBA title with A'ja Wilson leading a roster that includes Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd.
And while many assistants might look forward to teaching a new group of talent what they bring to the court, Ellis is looking forward to a core of players that have plenty of championship experience.
"Basketball is basketball, but people are different," Ellis said. "That's where you grow as a leader, knowing how to communicate, knowing how to press the buttons and different athletes. But the game of basketball don't change - pick and roll, pin down, stagger, what have you - but I've never coached women, and I think women are phenomenal communicators.
"Men are the ones who kind of hold it in. So what I'm eager to learn is how to become a better communicator as I become the leader that I want to ultimately become."
