Ewing to Wizards Coaching
NBA Legend Patrick Ewing Reportedly Nearing Deal to Join Washington Wizards Coaching Staff
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Key Points
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Patrick Ewing’s NBA coaching résumé spans 15 seasons as an NBA assistant, including an early stint with the Wizards in 2002-03, followed by assistant roles with the Houston Rockets (Jeff Van Gundy), the Orlando Magic (Stan Van Gundy), and as an associate head coach for the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets under Steve Clifford.
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Ewing’s six-season tenure as Georgetown’s head coach (2017-2023) ended with a 75-109 record and one NCAA Tournament appearance, a detail often cited to contextualize his defensive/post play development credential.
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In 2024, Ewing joined the Knicks as a basketball ambassador, a role that NBA outlets point to as part of the pathway back to coaching discussions with the Wizards.
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Observers note Ewing would likely tutor Washington’s big men, leveraging his Georgetown 1984 championship pedigree and frontcourt expertise to work with players such as Alex Sarr and Deandre Ayton (in the broader context of post-Anthony Davis-era moves).
Patrick Ewing is joining the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach under head coach Brian Keefe, according to ESPN and TSN. The Hall of Fame center brings 15 seasons of NBA assistant coaching experience to Washington, returning to a franchise where he briefly worked back in 2002-03.
The move reunites Ewing with the DMV, where he built his college legacy at Georgetown. It also marks his return to NBA coaching after spending the 2024-25 season as a basketball ambassador with the New York Knicks, per HoopsHype.
Ewing's Long Road Back to the NBA Bench
Ewing's NBA coaching career spans more than a decade and a half. After his first stint with Washington in 2002-03, he joined Jeff Van Gundy's staff with the Houston Rockets. He then moved to the Orlando Magic under Stan Van Gundy. His most prominent NBA role came as associate head coach for the Charlotte Bobcats and Hornets under Steve Clifford, according to Yahoo Sports.
In between, Ewing spent six seasons as Georgetown's head coach from 2017 to 2023. He finished with a 75-109 record and made just one NCAA Tournament. That run showed his ability to develop post players, but results were mixed. He then stepped back from head coaching and took the Knicks ambassador role in 2024, per ESPN.
Why the Wizards Want a Big Man Whisperer
Washington is rebuilding around young frontcourt talent. The Wizards drafted 7-foot-1 Alex Sarr with the second overall pick in 2024. They also added Deandre Ayton. Both players are raw and need development work in the post. Ewing, a dominant center who scored over 24,000 NBA points, is built for exactly that job, according to TSN.
Ewing won a national title at Georgetown in 1984 and was the first overall pick that same year. His frontcourt knowledge is widely respected around the league. Coaching bigs is seen as his clearest strength. The Wizards want that expertise working directly with Sarr and Ayton, per HoopsHype.
Ewing's Georgetown Roots Add a Local Angle
Ewing is more than just a coaching hire in Washington. He is a local icon. He played four years at Georgetown in the early 1980s and became one of the most celebrated athletes in DMV history. His return to the area, even in a professional role, carries real meaning for fans in the region, according to Yahoo Sports.
Head coach Brian Keefe is building his first full Wizards staff. Adding a name like Ewing gives the staff instant credibility. It also signals that Washington is serious about player development in the frontcourt as a core part of the rebuild, per ESPN.
What Comes Next for Washington's Retooled Staff
The exact details of Ewing's role have not been made public yet. Reports describe him as an assistant coach, but his specific duties and title are still unclear. What is clear is that he fits a real need. Washington's young bigs need a teacher with elite post experience, and few coaches in the league match that profile, per TSN.
The Wizards are in the early stages of a full rebuild. They parted ways with veterans and are leaning on youth. Adding Ewing to Keefe's staff is one of the more high-profile moves of their offseason so far. More staff announcements are expected as training camp approaches, according to HoopsHype.
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