ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Patrick Ewing Jr. will serve as head coach/GM of the Newfoundland Growlers for the franchise's inaugural 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.

"Patrick Ewing Jr. brings a unique skill set to his position of head coach and general manager of the Growlers," Steve Konchalski, the club's senior adviser of basketball operations, said in a statement issued Friday. "Throughout his career, he has been exposed to the highest levels of the game, and I am looking forward to the opportunity of working with him to bring an exciting brand of basketball to St. John’s with the goal of competing for a championship."

Ewing Jr., 37, served as a lead assistant coach with the CEBL's Ottawa BlackJacks last season.

"I'm excited for this next opportunity in my coaching career, particularly getting to stay within the CEBL and join an organization that matches my ambitions in the Newfoundland Growlers," he said. "The passionate basketball fan base in Newfoundland is desperate for a competitive, entertaining team to cheer for, and I’m ready to take on the challenge as general manager and head coach in providing just that. I can’t wait to get started."

Ewing Jr. was selected in the second round, No. 43 overall, in the 2008 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.

Ewing Jr.'s father, Patrick, was selected first overall by the New York Knicks in 1985 following an illustrious college career at Georgetown. Patrick Ewing played 17 NBA seasons with New York, Seattle and Orlando before being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

He's currently the men's basketball head coach at his alma mater.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2022.