patrick ewing

For New York sports fanatics, 2023 is heating up like another very special year. If you are a "New York" NBA and/or NHL fan, 1994 was one for the memory banks. And, something happened on Wednesday that hasn't occurred since '94.

Former New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing has worked hard to prepare for his first head coaching opportunity. Since retiring from the NBA, Ewing spent 15 years as an assistant coach for the Wizards, Bobcats (Hornets) and Magic. Finally, in 2017 Ewing's alma mater Georgetown University tabbed him as the head coach of their men's basketball program. It was truly a dream come true for the NBA Hall of Famer. Dreams eventually end.

These are great experiences for student-athletes. Experiences are recruiting tools. Siena men's basketball coach Carm Massariello knows how important these types of games are on many levels. First, the Saints will receive a nice check for playing in the game. Mid-major programs need guarantee games to survive. Next, the mid-Atlantic states are a nice recruiting area for Coach Carm. There are plenty of great high school basketball student-athletes in the Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area that Massariello would like to introduce to Siena College. Lastly, his players get to play against a team coached by a New York basketball legend.