In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight NBA All-Star player Patrick Ewing.
Patrick Ewing was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1962. At 12 years old, he immigrated to the United States with his family, settling in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ewing discovered his love for basketball in high school, where he first began playing. With only a few years of experience, he was quickly recognized as one of the best high school players in the country. As a senior, Ewing signed with Georgetown University to play on their basketball team under Coach John Thompson.
Throughout college, Ewing led his team to many championships, setting himself apart from the many NBA franchises eager to possess his talent. He was the first overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft; the New York Knicks recruited him to play, and he remained with the team for 15 seasons.
Throughout his tenure with the Knicks, Ewing played in numerous championships and conferences. He also represented the United States in basketball at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, earning a gold medal. During this time, Ewing was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
Following Ewing’s time with the Knicks, he played for the Seattle SuperSonics, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Orlando Magic before retiring as a player and transitioning to coaching. Ewing served as an assistant coach for several NBA franchises and eventually returned to his alma mater, Georgetown University, as men’s head basketball coach in 2017.
Over his 17-year NBA career, Ewing scored a total of 24,815 points, ranking him 23rd on the NBA scoring list. In 2008, Ewing was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Staying closely involved with the Knicks, Ewing represented the team during the 2019 NBA draft and currently serves as its basketball ambassador.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month:
2025
Winome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Lisa Dunkley, Florida State Representative
Camille Wardrop Alleyne, Aerospace Engineer