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Apr 30, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks former player Patrick Ewing watches during the second quarter of game one of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

via Imago
Apr 30, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks former player Patrick Ewing watches during the second quarter of game one of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoffs against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Patrick Ewing had a legendary NBA career. From Kingston, Jamaica, where he was raised in a modest household as one of seven children, he became one of the towers for the Knicks. He dominated the court, led Georgetown as a coach, and built a name that still echoes in basketball history. But have you ever wondered where that kind of drive comes from? In 1971, Ewing’s mother, Dorothy, moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, chasing better opportunities for her family. Can you imagine leaving your loved ones behind to build a new life from scratch?
By 1975, 12-year-old Patrick finally joined his mother and siblings in Cambridge. His father, Carl, later found work in a rubber hose factory, helping to steady the family’s new life in America. That kind of grit and sacrifice shaped Ewing long before he stepped onto a court. But behind the fame, what was life like for Patrick Ewing once he stepped away from the game? Who stood by him during those early struggles, and later, during his rise to stardom? Let’s take a closer look inside Patrick Ewing’s relationship history, his kids, and the quieter side of a life that’s mostly been lived in the spotlight.
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A look back at Patrick Ewing’s relationship history
Patrick Ewing’s love life has had its share of public attention, beginning long before the final buzzer ever sounded on his career. His most well-known relationship was with Rita Williams, whom he met back in the early ’80s. She was an ambitious Howard University intern working on Capitol Hill, and he was a rising college basketball star from Georgetown.
It sounds like a fairytale beginning, right? The two eventually married in 1990 and built a life together through the height of Ewing’s NBA career. But even the strongest couples face challenges. By 1998, their marriage came to an end. Rumors flew: cheating allegations, media speculation, but Rita kept things grounded. She said there was no “significant other” except their children. That chapter, while complicated, ended with mutual respect.

Then came whispers of a connection with Heather Errico, a Knicks dancer at the time. Although the rumors were never confirmed, they were enough to stir headlines, especially since Errico stepped away from her dance role shortly after the story broke. But even she later brushed off the idea that she caused the breakup. Interestingly, even Rita denied the gossip back then. “To this day, as far as I know, that woman was a rumor. But Patrick and me have had our issues for a long time,” she had said. In the end, it seemed the public was more obsessed with the drama than the people living it.
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How did Patrick Ewing's family sacrifices shape his path to becoming an NBA legend?
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These days, Patrick Ewing keeps things quieter. His relationship with Cheryl Weaver, a former professional volleyball player, has stayed mostly out of the spotlight. Maybe that’s intentional. After everything he’s experienced, Ewing seems to have found a space for love that doesn’t need headlines to be real.
The Ewing family today, how Cheryl Weaver shapes their lives, and what the kids are up to
Have you ever wondered what life is like for Patrick Ewing’s family, away from the basketball court? His partner, Cheryl Weaver, plays a big role at home. Cheryl isn’t just any athlete, but she, too, has accomplished a lot in her sport. How so? She’s a national champion and has competed at the highest levels of volleyball. How did growing up with two sports legends influence their kids?
Take Alexis Ewing, for example. She’s making waves in college volleyball at Penn State. At 6’4”, Alexis is a natural on the court, but she’s also carving out her own identity, separate from her dad’s huge basketball shadow. Well, at least her mother’s experience turns out to be helpful for her, too. Cheryl has been a hands-on mentor, often attending games and keeping Alexis grounded while she navigates the intense world of college athletics.
And then there’s Patrick Ewing Jr.? He followed his dad into basketball. Interestingly, he not only carries his father’s name but also his basketball legacy along with it. Well, he was drafted into the NBA in the second round (43rd overall) by the Sacramento Kings. Also, while his time remained relatively short, he played internationally in countries such as Germany, Spain, Greece, and Qatar. Patrick Jr. now shares his knowledge with younger players, keeping the family’s basketball passion alive off the court. Patrick Ewing Jr. is married to his wife, Katie, and together they have four children, including a son named Patrick III.

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Randi Ewing, another of the siblings, also thrived in volleyball during her college years, finishing her career at Louisville. While she once made waves on the court, she’s since shifted her focus to the world of sports media. It’s interesting to see how she carved out a career in broadcasting, unlike her other siblings.
As the youngest of Patrick Ewing’s children, Corey Ewing grew up surrounded by basketball greatness. However, surprisingly, she never felt drawn to follow in those footsteps. In fact, she was refreshingly honest about it. “I actually hate playing basketball,” she once said. Despite participating in volleyball and track in high school, Corey didn’t pursue sports in college. So what was her goal? It was academics that drew her interest. She earned a degree in sociology!
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After graduating, Corey embraced roles that reflect her passion for education and public service. From working as a teacher and basketball coach at charter schools in New York, she has done it all. Not only that, she has even served as an intern at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. “Georgetown just feels like home,” she once said, a nod not only to her family’s legacy but also to the community she’s chosen to serve on her own terms.
Overall, each of Patrik Ewing’s children has their own interests. It’s clear the family values hard work and passion, whether in sports or other fields. Watching how they grow and shape their own stories makes you wonder what the next chapter holds for the Ewings.
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How did Patrick Ewing's family sacrifices shape his path to becoming an NBA legend?