Patrick Ewing Joins Wizards Bench: Why the Knicks Couldn’t Keep Him from Coaching

**Patrick Ewing, the Wizards’ new assistant coach, revealed on July 13 why he left the Knicks for the bench-his coaching bug wouldn’t wait.** In an exclusive interview with *The Post*, the Hall of Famer admitted the opportunity to coach again was too good to pass up, even after two seasons as the Knicks’ basketball ambassador.

The Knicks offered Ewing no path to coaching. Their assistant bench was already packed with talent, he told *The Post* on Sunday. “Their bench was already stacked,” Ewing said. “I enjoyed being around them, learning from them, picking their brains. But there was no opportunity there.”

Despite the decision, Ewing praised the Knicks’ leadership. He singled out Leon Rose, World Wide Wes, and James Dolan for making him feel included. “I take my hat off to the Knicks,” he said. “They’ve done a great job in making all of us feel like we’re part of everything.”

The Washington Wizards presented Ewing with a clear role. “One was here,” he said simply. The move marks a return to coaching for Ewing, who has long expressed a passion for the game beyond playing. His shift from ambassador to assistant reflects his evolving career.

Now, Ewing will work under head coach Wes Unseld Jr. as the Wizards prepare for the 2026-27 season. His coaching debut comes after years of high-profile roles, including his NBA career and ambassador stint. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how his leadership style fits with the Wizards’ system.

The interview underscored Ewing’s loyalty to the Knicks, even as he pursued his next chapter. His move to the Wizards bench isn’t just a career shift-it’s a step toward fulfilling his coaching ambitions.