Overview
- Multiple outlets reported late Saturday that Patrick Ewing agreed to join the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach under Brian Keefe, with ESPN’s Shams Charania and SNY’s Ian Begley cited as primary sources.
- Longtime NBA coach Steve Clifford is expected to join the organization as a coaching advisor, a role described by reports as separate from Ewing’s on-bench assistant duties.
- Ewing will leave his recent ambassador and advisor post with the New York Knicks after helping the franchise during its 2026 championship run.
- Reports say Ewing is likely to be tasked with mentoring veteran stars such as Trae Young and Anthony Davis while helping No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and other young frontcourt players transition to the NBA, though exact staff responsibilities have not been detailed.
- The hire restores a Washington connection for Ewing—he began his NBA coaching career with the Wizards in 2002-03—and joins other staff moves like internal promotions that the club is using to pair experienced voices with a retooled roster.