An exciting reunion at an exciting time for the franchise!
Patrick Ewing has had quite an illustrious career. In 17 seasons, the Hall of Fame center averaged 21 PPG, 9.8 RPG, and 2.4 BPG while winning Rookie of the Year in 1986, and making 11 All-Star appearances, and seven All-NBA teams.
After retiring in 2002, Ewing went on to be an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Houston Rockets in the Association before returning to his alma mater, Georgetown, to serve as the head coach of their basketball team in 2017.
Welcome back, 3️⃣3️⃣!!
Knicks legend Patrick Ewing will re-join the franchise as basketball ambassador. pic.twitter.com/CwwfEYGUDA
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 4, 2024
After six years of subpar results, Ewing was let go by the university last March and has mostly been out of the basketball spotlight since then. But Ewing is now starting the next chapter of his basketball life.
On Friday morning, the New York Knicks made the official announcement: the franchise’s all-time leader in scoring has rejoined the organization to become its Basketball Ambassador.
.@nyknicks Legend Patrick Ewing Joins the Organization as Basketball Ambassador pic.twitter.com/Uy0s1b7igU
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) October 4, 2024
“As I said the day my number 33 jersey lifted into the rafters at MSG, I will always be a Knick and I will always be a New Yorker. I can’t wait to get started in this new position and to officially be back with the organization that I love so much,” Ewing said. “The Garden has always been my home and I’m looking forward to working with Leon Rose, Coach Thibodeau, the team, and everyone else that makes this place so special.”
We’ve yet to hear of very specific examples of how exactly Ewing will work with the team, and the degree to which the former Knick will be involved day-to-day may vary.
However, according to the announcement the team made, Ewing will help the team with both basketball and business operations, working with both the front office and the Thibodeau as Ewing mentioned above.
Whatever his role ends up being though, this reunion is just the icing on the cake. Team members and fans will now get to see more of one of, if not, the most iconic players in the franchise’s history. And they’ll get to do so during a very exciting and important time for the organization.