Patrick Ewing, a Georgetown and New York Knicks legend, has agreed to become an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards under head coach Brian Keefe.
The move ends Ewing’s stint as a Knicks ambassador and brings him back to an NBA bench for the first time since his Charlotte career.
Familiar Beginning
Ewing is familiar with Washington. His coaching career, in fact, began with the Wizards as an assistant during the 2002-03 season.
He was an assistant with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets before departing the NBA for a stint as Georgetown’s head coach from 2017-2023, guiding the Hoyas to a Big East tournament title in 2021.
Georgetown and New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing has agreed to become an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards and head coach Brian Keefe, sources tell ESPN. Ewing has been in an Ambassador role with the Knicks and now returns on the coaching sidelines in D.C. pic.twitter.com/6Xdz6GrmY0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2026
Why The Wizards Need Him
The Wizards want to lean on Ewing’s stature and communication to steady a youthful, star-studded team.
He’ll work closely with veterans Anthony Davis and Trae Young and tutor No. 1 overall choice AJ Dybantsa as the rookie adjusts to the NBA, ESPN reports.
Clifford Joining As Well
Washington is also enlisting longtime NBA head coach Steve Clifford as a coaching adviser.
Clifford has served in a similar advising capacity with the Phoenix Suns in the past and this move reunites him with Ewing, who was Clifford’s assistant in Charlotte from 2013-2017.
A Wonderful Career
Ewing, the Knicks’ No. 1 overall pick in 1985, was an 11-time All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA selection in his 15 seasons in New York over a 17-year NBA career.
He is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and games played, and had his No. 33 jersey retired by the Knicks in 2003.
The Wizards (14-68 last season) are expecting the veteran’s addition will help speed up the growth of their young core as they enter 2026-27.
