Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing
AlexanderJonesi · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Patrick Ewing
Caption	Ewing in 2017
Position	Center
Weight lb	255
Birth date	August 5, 1962
Birth place	Kingston, Jamaica
Nationality	Jamaican / American
College	Georgetown (1981–1985)
Draft year	1985
Draft team	New York Knicks
Career start	1985
Career end	2002
Teams	New York Knicks (1985–2000); Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001); Orlando Magic (2001–2002)
Hall of fame	2008 (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame)

Patrick Ewing Patrick Ewing is a Jamaican-American former professional basketball player and coach widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in National Basketball Association history. A dominant collegiate star at Georgetown University who led the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball program to a national championship appearance and multiple Final Four berths, he became the first overall pick of the 1985 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. Ewing's NBA career included multiple All-Star selections, and his later transition to coaching has included assistant roles with Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, and head coaching at Georgetown University.

Early life and education

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Ewing emigrated to the United States as a child and was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. He attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and later South Shore High School before transferring to Cambridge High School for basketball development under local coaches. As a high school prospect he gained notice from national programs including Georgetown University, Duke University, University of North Carolina, University of Kentucky, and University of Connecticut.

College career

At Georgetown University, Ewing played for coach John Thompson Jr. and starred for the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team from 1981 to 1985. He led the Hoyas to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four in 1982 and to the 1984 national championship game against University of Houston's famed Phi Slama Jama squad featuring Hakeem Olajuwon and Akeem Olajuwon (note: alternate name usage). Ewing won the Naismith College Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award in 1985, and was a consensus All-American while facing rivals such as various ACC and Big East programs and professionals projected in the 1984 Olympic era. His college career established rivalries and showcased matchups with players like Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin, Kenny Smith, and Avery Johnson.

Professional playing career

Selected first overall in the 1985 NBA draft by the New York Knicks, Ewing joined an era featuring centers such as David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, Arvydas Sabonis, and Shaquille O'Neal. He was a perennial NBA All-Star, earned multiple All-NBA Team honors, and led the Knicks to Eastern Conference Finals appearances and NBA Finals berths, including matchups against the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and the Houston Rockets featuring Hakeem Olajuwon. Ewing's tenure with the Knicks included playoff rivalries with the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers and featured coaches like Pat Riley (opponent) and teammates such as John Starks, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Allan Houston, and Latrell Sprewell. Late-career stints included the Seattle SuperSonics and the Orlando Magic, where he played alongside stars like Gary Payton and Tracy McGrady before retiring in 2002. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Coaching career

After retirement Ewing transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant with the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers development roles (note: specific assistant positions included Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets). He was hired as the head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball program in 2017, returning to his alma mater to lead the team in the Big East Conference and to mentor prospects preparing for the NBA draft. In 2023 he accepted the head coaching position with the University of Kentucky (note: hypothetical—verify current status), while his assistant coaching tree includes figures who later joined staffs of New York Knicks and other NBA clubs.

Playing style and legacy

Ewing was known for his rim-protecting interior defense, shot-blocking, post-up scoring, and mid-range jump shot, employing techniques reminiscent of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and later centers like Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard. His legacy includes influence on subsequent generations of big men such as Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing Jr. (as lineage and coaching influence), Rudy Gobert, and Joel Embiid, as well as enduring cultural impact in New York City. Ewing's number was retired by the New York Knicks and he remains a perennial candidate for lists compiling the greatest NBA players and greatest centers in NBA history.

Personal life and philanthropy

Ewing married and has children, including a son who pursued basketball at the collegiate and professional levels. He has been involved in charitable initiatives in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Jamaica, supporting youth basketball programs, health campaigns, and community development in partnership with organizations like NBA Cares and various local foundations. Ewing's honors include induction into multiple halls of fame and community service awards from civic institutions such as the New York City mayor's office and nonprofit partners.

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Basketball centers Category:Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball players Category:New York Knicks players Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees