Patrick 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, leaving an Ambassador role with the New York Knicks to return to the coaching sidelines in D.C.
- The Wizards are leaning on Ewing's legendary stature to communicate with veteran stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young and their young nucleus led by No. 1 draft pick AJ Dybantsa.
- Ewing previously served as an NBA assistant with the Wizards, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets, and was Georgetown's head coach — winning an unexpected 2021 Big East tournament title at Madison Square Garden before being let go in 2023 after going 13-50 in his final two seasons.
- Ewing was taken by the Knicks with the No. 1 pick in the 1985 draft, played 15 seasons in New York and remains the franchise's career leader in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and games played; the Knicks made the playoffs in each of his final 13 seasons.
- The Knicks retired Ewing's No. 33 jersey in 2003, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Why it matters: The Wizards are betting that Ewing's Hall of Fame résumé and Knicks-icon status give them a uniquely credible voice in a locker room blending a No. 1 pick (AJ Dybantsa) with established veterans (Anthony Davis, Trae Young). It also marks his second stint on Washington's bench after earlier assistant work there.
