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Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing is rejoining the New York Knicks as the franchise's "basketball ambassador," the team announced on Friday (October 4).
Ewing, whose No. 33 jersey was retired at Madison Square Garden in 2003, spent his first 15 seasons with the Knicks and ranks first all-time in franchise history in points (23,665), rebounds (10,759), field goals (9,260), free throws (5,126), blocks (2,758), games (1,039) and minutes played (37,586) among numerous other categories.
“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 via the Knicks' official website. “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.”
Ewing was selected by the Knicks at No. 1 overall in the 1985 NBA Draft following a Hall of Fame career at Georgetown. The Jamaica native finished his NBA career with 24,815 points, 11,607 rebounds, 2,215 assists and 2,894 blocks.
Ewing's announced role comes days after the Knicks finalized a deal to acquire All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. New York finished the 2023-24 season with a 50-32 overall record, finishing second in the Eastern Conference before being eliminated in the semifinal round of the NBA Playoffs.