New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing — now the head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team — revealed via social media that he tested positive for COVID-19.
In Ewing's post that includes a statement from the Hoyas, it was noted that the retired NBA Hall of Famer “is under care and isolated at a local hospital.” He is also the only one from his team — players and staff included — to test positive for the dreaded disease.
I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. 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. pic.twitter.com/a2fMuhIZyG
— Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) May 22, 2020
Patrick Ewing was the first overall selection of the 1985 NBA Draft, spending 15 years with the Knicks before retiring after two brief stints with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic from 2000 to 2002. An 11-time All-Star, Ewing was known as one of the best centers of his time along with Hakeem Olajuwon (his 1994 NBA Finals matchup) and the San Antonio Spurs' David Robinson.
The 57-year-old spent over a decade coaching on various NBA teams, having served as an assistant for the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Magic, and Charlotte Hornets before accepting a job at his alma mater, Georgetown, in 2017. Since then, he has led the Hoyas to a 49-46 record through three seasons in the new Big East.
Ewing was a fixture of the Big East's heyday of basketball dominance, winning the NCAA Championship with the Hoyas in 1984 (against the University of Houston and Olajuwon) and reaching three title games in his four-year collegiate career.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, sports were suspended across North America, with the NBA seeing their 2019-20 season in hiatus as of mid-March. As for Ewing and his Hoyas, they also their NCAA season come to an abrupt end.
While several plans have been proposed — like resuming the season in Orlando's Walt Disney World and playing exclusively in the Florida city —players are still sheltering at home and only just beginning to return for voluntary workouts at teams' practice facilities, with social-distancing guidelines installed as well.
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