Career Timeline of Patrick Ewing: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Patrick Ewing, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Patrick Ewing, a Jamaican-American former professional basketball player and current coach, is celebrated as one of the greatest centers in NBA history. He spent the majority of his career as the starting center for the New York Knicks, leading them to prominence in the 1990s. He finished his career with short stints with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic. Today, he serves as a basketball ambassador for the Knicks.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1943: Georgetown's Final Four Appearance

In 1943, the Georgetown Hoyas advanced to their first Final Four since 1943.

1966: NBA Draft Procedures

From 1966, the NBA draft was conducted similarly to the NFL draft, where teams are awarded draft positions based on winning percentage.

1973: Knicks Appearance in NBA Finals

Since 1973, Ewing led the Knicks to the 1994 NBA Finals, their first appearance in the Finals since 1973.

1979: State Championship

In 1979, Patrick Ewing led Cambridge Rindge and Latin to a Massachusetts Div. I state championship.

1981: Freshman Season

In 1981, Patrick Ewing became one of the first college players to start and star on the varsity team as a freshman for the Georgetown Hoyas.

1981: State Championship

In 1981, Patrick Ewing led Cambridge Rindge and Latin to a Massachusetts Div. I state championship.

1983: Big East Regular Season Championship

In 1983, Patrick Ewing led Georgetown to the Big East regular-season championship, the Big East tournament championship and another #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

1984: Senior Year and Awards

During his senior year in 1984, Patrick Ewing was named the Big East Player of the Year again, and the team won the Big East tournament title.

1984: NBA Draft

Until 1984, the NBA held a coin toss between the teams with the worst records in each conference and the winner of the coin toss selected first.

1985: Drafted by the Knicks

In 1985, Patrick Ewing was drafted by the New York Knicks and signed a 10-year, $32 million contract.

1985: NBA Draft

In 1985, the NBA handled matters differently. Every team that qualified for the playoffs received positions based on their winning percentage, and the teams that did not were placed in a lottery.

1986: First Sneaker Endorsement with Adidas

In 1986, Patrick Ewing's first sneaker endorsement was with Adidas.

1991: Licensing Deal with Next Sports

In 1991, Next Sports signed a licensing deal to release footwear under Ewing's name in the United States under the Ewing Athletics company.

1992: Dream Team Member

In 1992, Patrick Ewing was a member of the original Dream Team at the Olympic Games.

1992: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1

In 1992, during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Patrick Ewing finished with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 blocks, leading the Knicks to a 94-89 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

1993: Wide-Open Year in the NBA

With Jordan out of the league, 1993–94 was considered a wide-open year in the NBA, and Ewing had declared that 1994 would be the Knicks' year.

1994: Knicks Appearance in NBA Finals

In 1994, Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks appeared in the NBA Finals.

1996: Ewing Athletics Ceases Operations

In 1996, Ewing Athletics, which released footwear under Patrick Ewing's name, ceased operations.

December 20, 1997: Wrist Injury Against Milwaukee Bucks

On December 20, 1997, Patrick Ewing suffered a severe wrist injury during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, including a displaced fracture and torn ligaments, leading to emergency surgery.

1999: Knicks Reach Conference Finals

In 1999, Patrick Ewing and the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals, advancing past the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat.

1999: Knicks Appearance in NBA Finals

In 1999, Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks appeared in the NBA Finals.

2000: Final Season with the Knicks

In 2000, Patrick Ewing played his final season with the Knicks, reaching his 1,000th NBA game and setting a franchise record with 1,039 games played for the team.

2000: Trade to Seattle SuperSonics

In 2000, Patrick Ewing requested and was traded from the New York Knicks to the Seattle SuperSonics as part of a four-team trade.

September 18, 2002: Ewing Announces Retirement

On September 18, 2002, Patrick Ewing announced his retirement from professional basketball after playing one season with the Seattle SuperSonics and another with the Orlando Magic.

2002: Assistant Coach for Washington Wizards

From 2002 to 2003, Patrick Ewing served as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards.

2003: Assistant Coach for Houston Rockets

From 2003 through 2006, Patrick Ewing worked as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets.

2006: Resigns from Rockets

In 2006, Patrick Ewing resigned from his position as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets to spend more time with his family.

July 3, 2007: Assistant Coach for Orlando Magic

On July 3, 2007, Patrick Ewing was hired as one of four assistants to serve under Stan Van Gundy, the head coach for the Orlando Magic.

2009: Magic Reach NBA Finals

In 2009, while Ewing was an assistant coach, the Orlando Magic reached the NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.

2010: Coaches Son in Summer League

In 2010, Patrick Ewing coached his son, Patrick Ewing Jr., in the summer league, where Ewing Jr. played for the Orlando Magic.

2012: Resurrection of Ewing Athletics Line

In 2012, David Goldberg and GPF Footwear LLC teamed up with Patrick Ewing to resurrect the Ewing Athletics line.

November 8, 2013: Interim Head Coach for Charlotte Bobcats

On November 8, 2013, Patrick Ewing became the interim head coach for the Charlotte Bobcats, losing his first game against his former team, the Knicks, 101-91.

2014: Donation to John R. Thompson, Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center

In 2014, Patrick Ewing and David Falk donated $3.3 million to the John R. Thompson, Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center at Georgetown University.

2014: First NCAA tournament Appearance since 2014

The 2021 Big East Conference tournament win marked Georgetown's first NCAA tournament appearance since the 2014-15 season.

2015: Georgetown's Postseason Tournament

Georgetown's first postseason tournament since 2015 was in Ewing's second season.

April 3, 2017: Hired as Head Coach of Georgetown Hoyas

On April 3, 2017, Patrick Ewing was hired as the head coach of his former college team, the Georgetown Hoyas.

May 14, 2019: Represents Knicks During NBA Draft Lottery

On May 14, 2019, Patrick Ewing represented the Knicks during the NBA draft lottery, securing the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

2019: NIT Bid

In Ewing's second season, Georgetown was awarded a bid in the 2019 National Invitation Tournament, their first postseason tournament since 2015.

2020: Big East Tournament Cancellation

In Ewing's third season, the Hoyas lost in the first round of the 2020 Big East tournament, which was then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Big East Conference Tournament Championship

In 2021, Patrick Ewing led the Georgetown Hoyas to the Big East Conference tournament championship, securing a spot in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament.

2022: Loss in the 2022 Big East tournament

In Ewing's fifth season, the Hoyas posting an overall record of 6-25 and going winless in Big East Conference play at 0-19 in the regular season followed by a first-round loss in the 2022 Big East tournament.