New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing tests positive for COVID-19
Head coach Patrick Ewing of the Georgetown Hoyas signals to his players during the Big East Conference Men's Basketball Tournament First Round game against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo b
Former New York Knicks player and current head coach of Georgetown University’s Men’s Basketball team Patrick Ewing revealed on Twitter Friday evening that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” Ewing said in a Tweet. “This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.”
According to Georgetown University, Ewing is currently under care and has been isolated at a local hospital.
The school said the 57-year-old Ewing is the only member of its men’s program who has contracted the coronavirus.
As a player, the 7-foot Ewing helped Georgetown win the 1984 NCAA men’s basketball championship and reach two other title games.
During Ewing’s four years playing for John Thompson Jr., Georgetown went 121-23, a winning percentage of .840.
He was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 draft after the Knicks won the NBA’s first lottery. Ewing wound up leading New York to the 1994 NBA Finals, where they lost to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets.
Ewing played 17 seasons in the NBA, 15 with the Knicks.
After retiring as a player, he spent 15 years as an assistant or associate coach with four teams in the pros. In April 2017, he returned to Georgetown for his first job as a head coach at any level, replacing Thompson’s son in that job with the Hoyas.
In his first three seasons at his alma mater, Ewing’s teams have gone a combined 49-46 with zero trips to the NCAA Tournament.
In 2019-20, Georgetown finished the season with seven consecutive losses and a 15-17 record.
Last week, sophomore guard Mac McClung announced that he was planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal, joining four other Georgetown players who said during the season they would be switching schools.
With the Associated Press.