Did Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing propose committing a recruiting violation?

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Georgetown president John J. DeGioia (L) and Athletic Director Lee Reed introduce Athletics Director NBA Hall of Famer and former Georgetown Hoyas player Patrick Ewing as the Georgetown Hoyas' new head basketball coach at John Thompson Jr. Athletic Center on April 5, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Newly hired Georgetown coach and NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing may already have been on the verge of committing an NCAA recruiting violation.

Patrick Ewing was a guest on the Dan Patrick Show earlier on Thursday, and he spoke about his plans for Georgetown, and why he ultimately chose to jump at the opportunity to coach for his alma mater. During the interview, though, he made a comment about a potential plan that he was trying to put together with former Georgetown standout and NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.

Patrick asked Ewing if there was a place for Iverson on his coaching staff, or potentially as a recruiter. Ewing responded by saying that he wasn’t sure if there was a place on the coaching staff for Iverson, but he was potentially going to ask Iverson to help him get a recent commit who asked for his release from his letter of intent to recommit and attend the University. Ewing told Patrick that, “I know he is a big Allen Iverson fan. At some point, I’m going to try and get him and Allen together, either on the phone or in person.”

This would be violating a major NCAA recruiting rule that prohibits people who are not on a University’s coaching staff, or a staff member at all from recruiting potential prospects to attend the university and join their athletic programs. This violation is stated in the NCAA Division I manual under article 13.1.2.

Georgetown has one of the most decorated college basketball programs in history, but they have struggled the past few seasons, including missing the NCAA tournament the past two years. The Hoyas are hoping that one of their most decorated players in their history can right the ship for them. Patrick Ewing has never been a head coach or any type of coach in college, but he has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2003.