Patrick Ewing

The cornerstone of the Knicks' 1990s success and an 11-time All-Star.

Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. (born August 5, 1962) is a Jamaican-American professional basketball coach and former player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. He spent most of his 17-year playing career as the starting center for the New York Knicks before ending his playing career with brief stints with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic, each tenure only lasting one season. Ewing is regarded as one of the greatest Knicks players of all time, playing a dominant role in New York's 1990s success, and becoming an NBA champion with the team in 2026 in a front office role.

Quick Facts

Born: 5 August 1962
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaican; American
High school: Cambridge Rindge and Latin (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
College: Georgetown (1981–1985)
Draft round: 1
Drafted by: New York Knicks
Career position: Center

Lore & Background

Ewing was born on August 5, 1962, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Carl and Dorothy Ewing. He moved to the United States in 1975 and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He learned to play basketball at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, leading the team to three consecutive Massachusetts Div. I state championships from 1979 to 1981. He was named a Parade All-American three times, Mr. Basketball USA, Parade Player of the Year, and MaxPreps National Player of the Year as a senior. He played center for Georgetown University for four seasons, reaching the NCAA championship game three times (1982, 1984, 1985) and winning the NCAA Championship in 1984. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 1984 and won the Naismith Player of the Year and Associated Press Player of the Year in 1985.

Reader's Guide

Ewing was selected first overall by the New York Knicks in the 1985 NBA draft. He played 15 seasons with the Knicks (1985–2000), was an eleven-time All-Star, and named to seven All-NBA teams. The Knicks appeared in the NBA Finals twice (1994 and 1999) during his tenure. He won Olympic gold medals as a member of the 1984 and 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball teams. He was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and as one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History in 2021. He is a two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame (2008 for his individual career, 2010 as a member of the 1992 Olympic team) and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame as a member of the 'Dream Team' in 2009. His number 33 was retired by the Knicks in 2003.

Did You Know?

As a child, he excelled at cricket and soccer.
He wore a short-sleeved T-shirt underneath his jersey, starting a fashion trend among young athletes.
He was one of the first freshmen to start for and lead a major college basketball team.
The 1985 NBA draft lottery, which gave the Knicks the first pick, sparked allegations of being rigged.