Patrick Ewing is making his return to the NBA coaching world, with ESPN reporting Saturday that the basketball legend will join the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach under head coach Brian Keefe.
Ewing, 63, had most recently been working as an ambassador for the New York Knicks — the team where he built his legendary playing career from 1985 to 2000. His coaching journey actually began with the Wizards back in 2002-03, after which he went on to serve as an assistant with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets organization.
On the court in Washington, Ewing is expected to bring his big-man expertise to veteran players Trae Young and Anthony Davis, while also helping 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa find his footing in the NBA. The assignment carries a personal connection for Ewing — he himself was selected No. 1 overall by the Knicks back in 1985.
According to the report, former NBA head coach Steve Clifford will also be coming aboard the Wizards organization, taking on the role of coaching advisor. Clifford had been filling a similar advisory position with the Phoenix Suns since August 2025.
The pairing of Ewing and Clifford, 64, marks a reunion of sorts. Ewing previously served on Clifford’s coaching staff with the Bobcats/Hornets from 2013 to 2017.
Clifford’s head coaching résumé includes stints with the Bobcats/Hornets — from 2013 to 2018 and again from 2022 to 2024 — as well as the Orlando Magic from 2018 to 2021. Before taking the reins as a head coach, he worked as an assistant with the Knicks, Magic, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Ewing’s career has spanned both the professional and college levels. He won an NCAA championship in 1984 at Georgetown before returning to his alma mater as head coach in 2017. During his tenure, he led the Hoyas to the Big East tournament title at Madison Square Garden in 2021, before being relieved of his coaching duties there in 2023.
A Knicks icon, Ewing had his No. 33 jersey retired by the franchise in 2003. He remains the all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, and games played, and helped carry New York to the postseason in each of his final 13 seasons.
