Ewing joins Wizards as assistant coach
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- Patrick Ewing agreed to become an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards under head coach Brian Keefe, ending his stint in a Knicks ambassador role to return to an NBA bench.
- Steve Clifford is also joining the Wizards as a coaching advisor, having held similar advisory roles with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets in recent years.
- Ewing and Clifford share a deep prior working history — Clifford was an assistant alongside Ewing in Orlando from 2007-2012, then Ewing served as an assistant under Clifford in Charlotte from 2013-2017.
- The Wizards are counting on Ewing's stature to connect with veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young and mentor a young nucleus led by No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.
- Ewing left Georgetown in 2023 after going 13-50 in his final two seasons at the program he led to the 1984 NCAA championship and a surprise 2021 Big East tournament title at Madison Square Garden.
- Ewing previously served as an NBA assistant with the Wizards, Magic, Hornets, and Rockets; the 1985 No. 1 pick remains the Knicks' career leader in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and games played, with his No. 33 retired in 2003.
Why it matters: The Wizards are pairing a Hall of Fame-caliber mentor with a veteran coaching advisor (Clifford) to steady a roster that mixes established stars (Davis, Young) with the No. 1 overall pick (Dybantsa). For Ewing, the hire reopens an NBA pathway after his Georgetown tenure closed on a 13-50 skid and reconnects him with a Washington franchise he has already served as an assistant.
