June 18, 1985: Knicks draft Patrick Ewing

By Newsday.comJune 18, 2016

A month earlier, the Knicks and Dave DeBusschere won the NBA's first draft lottery, giving them the No. 1 pick. That first overall selection became Georgetown center Patrick Ewing. Although Ewing's Knicks never brought an NBA title to New York, individually Ewing lived up to the hype. His first year in New York, he was named Rookie of the Year. The award was the first of many for No. 3. He was named to 11 All-Star teams, played on the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics, and was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players.

Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS/ MARTY LEDERHANDLER

Patrick Ewing accepts his Knicks jersey from Dave DeBusschere, right, general manager of the Knicks, in New York on Tuesday, June 18, 1985. Ewing, formerly of Georgetown University, was the first pick in the NBA Draft.

Credit: AP/ MARTY LEDERHANDLER

NBA No. 1 draft pick Patrick Ewing, right, formerly of Georgetown University, accepts a New York Knicks hat from Dave DeBusschere, the general manager of the Knicks in New York on Tuesday, June 18, 1985.

Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS/ G. Paul Burnett

Patrick Ewing is shown at the NBA draft in New York, June 18, 1985.

Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS/ G. Paul Burnett

Patrick Ewing is shown at the NBA Draft in New York, June 18, 1985.

Credit: AP/ G. Paul Burnett

Patrick Ewing is shown at the NBA draft in New York, June 18, 1985.

Credit: AP

From left, Wayman Tisdale, Patrick Ewing and Benoit Benjamin at the NBA Draft in New York on June 18, 1985.