The New York Knicks added another player to their roster today when they announced the signing of forward Patrick Ewing Jr., the son of Knicks Hall-of-Fame center Patrick Ewing. Howard Beck of the New York Times reports that Ewing Jr.‘s deal is partially guaranteed, meaning, "he’s likely competing for roster spot in October."
New York initially acquired Ewing Jr.‘s draft rights from the Houston Rockets in August 2008, but did not add him to the big-league club; indeed, Ewing has never played a game at the NBA level. He played the 2008/09 season for the D-League’s Reno Bighorns, averaging 16.8 points per game, but missed last season due to injury.
Most recently, he played for the Knicks’ summer-league squad in Las Vegas and for the Orlando Magic’s club, which his father coached, in the Orlando summer league. NBA.com has listed his complete summer-league stats with both teams here. Note that he was selected as an honorable mention to the Orlando All-Summer League teams.
Ewing Jr., 26, is an athletic, 6-foot-8 player who can fill either forward position. If he makes the final roster, he would be a solid fit in coach Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo offense due to his ability to fill the lanes in transition. However, his iffy outside shot could work against him in a halfcourt setting.