COVID-19: Basketball legend Patrick Ewing tested positive, admitted to hospital

Patrick Ewing, 57, was an 11-time NBA All-Star and spent the majority of his career as a centre for the New York Knicks. He started his coaching career once he retired in 2002, and has been the coach of Georgetown for four seasons.

Washington: Basketball Hall of Famer and Georgetown University coach, Patrick Ewing has announced that he is being treated at a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. The head coach of Georgetown Athletics' men's basketball team is "under care and isolated at a local hospital," according to a statement on Twitter.

"This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly," the 57-year-old said.

"I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines. I'll be fine and we will all get through this."

A statement released by the university on Friday said Ewing is the only team member who contracted the virus, and he is isolated at a local hospital.

• I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/a2fMuhIZyG

  — Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) May 22, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/a2fMuhIZyG

  — Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) May 22, 2020

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  I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/a2fMuhIZyG

  — Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) May 22, 2020

The legendary centre forward, who won two Olympic gold medals, helped Georgetown win the 1984 NCAA championship as a player, and returned to his alma mater in 2017 as head basketball coach.

Meanwhile, Georgetown added that Ewing is the only member of the men's basketball program to have tested positive for the virus.

Ewing, 57, was an 11-time NBA All-Star and spent the majority of his career as a centre for the New York Knicks. He started his coaching career once he retired in 2002, and has been the coach of Georgetown for four seasons.