NCAA Tournament: Seven years after the Final Four, Dylan Ennis feels home

The I-5 Corridor caught up with the former Oregon guard to chat about meeting Kobe, playing in Europe, Oregon's Final Four run and that one big what if.

March is far less mad for Dylan Ennis these days. 

Now seven years removed from his run to the Final Four with the Ducks, the former Oregon guard is a seasoned pro across the water. He’s played in Serbia, Monaco, Turkey and is currently making a home in Spain, where he’s in his first season with UCAM Murcia and averaging 15 points and 3.2 assists per game.

He’s got a contract signed for next year. He and his wife, Megan, a former Oregon women’s basketball player, have a house. Frankly, Ennis said it’s pretty cool that when he comes home from a road trip, like on Thursday when he spoke to The I-5 Corridor, it actually feels like home. 

“I get to pick up my kids in two hours,” Ennis said. “If it was just me and my wife it would be different. But having kids, my daughter is four, my son is two, for them to start to building relationships with their classmates and to know that we’re coming back, it’s amazing.” 

The I-5 Corridor spoke with Ennis about his time in Europe, his two years playing for Dana Altman at Oregon, meeting Kobe Bryant, Dillon Brooks’ insane gym workouts and what it’s like to not make the NBA. 

How has your view of playing overseas changed over time? 

I think my first two years I still had that inkling to get back to the NBA. I remember my second year, in December, Denver asked me if I wanted to come on a two-way (contract). Two-ways weren’t the same as they are now, they were very new, and for me, I had my daughter on the way, I was playing great, it was one of my best years, so I ended up declining. I think from there on I really just decided that, OK, I’m overseas, the NBA might not call, but I’m just going to focus on being in every place. I’ve made sure that I’ve connected with fans. I’ve eaten the domestic foods. Any cultural things they do, I make sure my family are a part of it. It’s really been amazing. And I think when I changed that mindset from ‘Just coming over for 10 months’ to instead being here and being a part of the city, I’ve loved it so much and my career has gone so great because of that. 

Not hearing your name on draft day and nobody wanting to pick you up, it’s tough. You spend your whole life wanting to be in the NBA. And then when you get over here, I know a lot of guys don’t enjoy it and go back and I think the reason why they go back so fast is because they’re not where their feet are at. 

I decided wherever I’m at in the world I’m going to enjoy it and make sure I’m in that moment. It’s helped me become a better basketball player because my mind is here.

I’ve enjoyed everywhere I’ve been. I’ve made sure to pick places that I can enjoy, that my family can enjoy. It’s not just been about money. Don’t get me wrong, having a lot of money is great. But you can’t put a price on your sense of peace. And I’ve really been able to enjoy that balance. 

How much did coming to Oregon change your life? 

I had that injury that kept me there for that second year, and I always tell people that changed my life forever. Being out for that entire year allowed me to work on myself and find out what I like other than basketball. It helped me learn how to take care of my body a lot better. God willing my streak keeps going, but I’ve only missed four games in seven years here overseas. One game was COVID. One game was because my daughter was born and two games were because I got ejected. So, that injury helped me educate myself about my body and how to approach the game and be a professional. 

And obviously the Final Four was amazing. I have friends forever. Dillon Brooks. Payton Pritchard. Jordan Bell. Chris Boucher. We still all have a group chat. Every now and then we’ll all check up on each other, so those two years at Oregon it was amazing.

You guys certainly did a number on Dana. Up until this year’s team, he wouldn’t stop talking about how much he wished his guys were like you guys. What’s your perspective on the challenges he’s faced recently and the way he’s been able to overcome them?