Patrick Ewing is heading back to the bench.
After spending the past few seasons around the Knicks as an advisor and ambassador, Ewing has taken an assistant coaching job with the Washington Wizards, giving him another shot to work toward the coaching role he has wanted.
For New York fans, Ewing has always been one of the franchise’s defining names. He spent more than a decade as the team’s star, and that long connection is part of why he stayed tied to the organization in an off-court role.
Now he’s moving into a different setting with Washington, where Brian Keefe’s staff is continuing to grow. The Wizards have been making changes across the organization, and the coaching group is part of that push.
Ewing brings obvious value on two fronts: he has coached before, and he also knows what it means to carry the weight of being an NBA star. That combination should make him a useful voice for players throughout the roster.
He can be a mentor for a young player like AJ Dybansta, while also offering help to the bigger bodies on the team, including Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis, and Deandre Ayton.
The Wizards also added another experienced voice in former Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, who has joined Keefe’s staff as well.
With that kind of experience around the bench, Washington is building a staff that could make some noise. The roster has veterans such as Davis and Trae Young who can help in the regular season, while younger pieces like Dybantsa and Sarr give the team a path to a higher ceiling down the line.
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Now the next big evaluation comes with the kind of prospect that can change the tone of a class. Four-star defensive lineman Karlos May has Auburn in the mix as the staff, with defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams leading the charge, keeps pressing for another major addition. The Tigers have spent July building momentum, but this recruitment will show whether that surge can turn into a finish that matches the early buzz. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Fans Wont Like How Brian Hartline Framed Alex Golesh
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That history is part of why Auburn fans will be listening closely. Golesh left behind a much healthier USF than the one he inherited, and several players, including starting quarterback Byrum Brown, followed him to Auburn after his departure. So when Hartline framed the Bulls recent success the way he did, it felt less like a routine offseason reset and more like the kind of pointed remark that can linger, especially with the next chapter for both programs still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]