Patrick Ewing, the former New York Knicks star and current coach of the Georgetown University men’s basketball team, on Thursday said he got “accosted” during his team’s visit to Madison Square Garden.
Georgetown upset Villanova in the Big East tournament at the New York City arena, and Ewing told reporters after the game that he was “getting stopped” and asked for his badge, ESPN reported.
“I do want to say one thing, though. I thought this was my building,” Ewing said after the game. “And I feel terrible that I’m getting stopped, accosted, [people] asking for passes.”
“Everybody in this building should know who the hell I am, and I’m getting stopped. I can’t move around this building. I was like, ‘What the hell? Is this Madison Square Garden?’ ” he added.
Ewing went to the NBA Finals twice with the Knicks, in 1994 and 1999, and retired from the team in 2003. He has coached the Georgetown Hoyas since 2017.
“I’m going to have to call Mr. Dolan and say, ‘Geez, is my number in the rafters or what?’ ” the two-time NBA Hall of Famer said, referring to James Dolan, the owner of the Knicks and the CEO of Madison Square Garden.
MSG told ESPN in a statement on Thursday that Ewing and Dolan spoke about the situation.
“We all know, respect and appreciate what he means to The Garden and New York. Good luck to him and his Hoyas in the Big East semi-finals,” the company said.
Georgetown plays Seton Hall on Friday after beating Villanova 72-71.