Patrick Ewing

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ewing was born on August 5, 1962, in Kingston, Jamaica, to Carl and Dorothy Ewing. He was born one day before Jamaica declared independence. As a child, he excelled at cricket and soccer. In 1975, Ewing moved to the United States and settled with his family in the Greater Boston area in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He learned to play basketball at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School with the help of John Fountain and his coach Mike Jarvis. He was named a Parade All-American three times, earning third-team honors in 1979 and first-team selections in both 1980 and 1981. As a senior, he was also named Mr. Basketball USA, Parade Player of the Year, and MaxPreps National Player of the Year. Ewing led Cambridge Rindge and Latin to three consecutive Massachusetts Div. I state championships from 1979 to 1981. He joined the MIT-Wellesley Upward Bound Program to prepare for college. Highly recruited out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ewing played center for the Georgetown Hoyas for four seasons, during which the team reached the NCAA championship game three times. ESPN in 2008 designated him the 16th-greatest college basketball player of all time. He won Olympic gold medals as a member of the 1984 and 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball teams. Ewing 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 in Springfield, Massachusetts (in 2008 for his individual career and in 2010 as a member of the 1992 Olympic team). Additionally, he 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.

In Their Own Story

The Barcelona sun beat down on the Palau Municipal d'Esports, but inside, the air was cool with anticipation. Patrick Ewing stood at center court, his eyes fixed on the Croatian team across from him. The crowd roared as the Dream Team took their positions. Ewing's first touch came from a crisp pass by Magic Johnson; he pivoted, felt the defender's weight, and rose for a thunderous dunk. The arena erupted. Later, in the fourth quarter, with the game already decided, Ewing swatted a shot into the stands, his long arms stretching like the branches of an ancient oak. As the final buzzer sounded, he allowed himself a rare smile, knowing this gold was not just a victory, but a moment that would echo through history.

Reader's Guide

Ewing had a seventeen-year NBA career, predominantly playing for the New York Knicks, where he 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 was expected to be the top pick in the 1985 NBA draft. In the first lottery, the envelope drawn by Commissioner David Stern belonged to the New York Knicks, inviting allegations the draw was rigged.

Did You Know?

• Ewing was born one day before Jamaica declared independence.
• He excelled at cricket and soccer as a child before moving to the United States.
• Ewing was one of the first college players to start and star on the varsity team as a freshman.
• He developed a habit of wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt underneath his jersey, starting a fashion trend that lasts to this day.