Rita Williams-Ewing built an identity far beyond her marriage to a basketball legend. She trained as a nurse, earned a law degree, and became a published novelist. This post covers her education, career, marriage to Patrick Ewing, divorce, and her later work in publishing and literature.
Quick Facts About Rita Williams-Ewing
- Full name: Rita Williams-Ewing (also published as Rita Ewing)
- Education: Howard University, degrees in nursing and law
- Occupation: Author, attorney, bookstore co-owner
- Spouse: Patrick Ewing (married July 27, 1990; divorced 1998)
- Children: Patrick Ewing Jr., Randi Ewing, Corey Ewing
- Known books: Homecourt Advantage, Brickhouse, Patrick’s Pals series
- Business venture: Co-owner, Hue-Man Bookstore, Harlem
Early Life and Education
Public sources don’t document Williams-Ewing’s childhood in detail. That gap is itself worth noting, since she built her adult reputation on substance rather than personal backstory.
She attended Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C. There, she pursued two demanding paths at once:
- A nursing degree, which prepared her for clinical work.
- A law degree, which gave her a second, entirely different professional foundation.
Few public figures hold both credentials. That combination later shaped how outlets described her, beyond the basketball connection.
Meeting Patrick Ewing
Williams-Ewing met Patrick Ewing in 1983. At the time, both worked as summer interns for U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, a former NBA player turned politician. Patrick Ewing had not yet reached NBA stardom.
The two built a relationship over several years before marrying.
Marriage to Patrick Ewing
Rita Williams and Patrick Ewing married on July 27, 1990. By then, Patrick Ewing had already established himself as a star center for the New York Knicks. His career reached its peak during much of their marriage.
Children
The couple had three children together:
- Patrick Ewing Jr., born May 20, 1984, before their marriage. He later played college and professional basketball himself.
- Randi Ewing, their daughter.
- Corey Ewing, their youngest daughter.
Life During the Marriage
Patrick Ewing’s NBA career brought the family significant public attention through the 1990s. Rita Williams-Ewing stayed largely out of the press during this period, despite her husband’s fame.
Divorce From Patrick Ewing
Rita Williams-Ewing and Patrick Ewing divorced in 1998, after eight years of marriage. Reports describe the split as the end of a high-profile sports marriage, though detailed court records remain private.
After the divorce, Williams-Ewing turned toward writing and entrepreneurship, rather than staying defined by her former marriage.
Literary Career
Homecourt Advantage
Williams-Ewing’s writing career began with Homecourt Advantage, a novel published November 1, 1998, by Avon/HarperCollins. She co-wrote the book with Crystal McCrary, an entertainment lawyer and fellow NBA wife married to Greg Anthony.
The novel follows the fictional New York Flyers, a basketball team facing relocation unless they win a championship. The story centers on the wives and girlfriends of the players, rather than the athletes themselves. Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews both covered the book at release, noting both authors held law degrees and real NBA marriage experience.
Sony/Screen Gems optioned film rights to the novel. A later edition appeared through Open Road Integrated Media in 2004.
Brickhouse
Williams-Ewing also wrote Brickhouse, another novel exploring themes connected to relationships, ambition, and public life. Details about this book’s plot and reception are less widely documented than her debut.
Patrick’s Pals Children’s Book Series
Beyond adult fiction, Williams-Ewing created Patrick’s Pals, a children’s book series. The series likely drew its name from her son, Patrick Ewing Jr., though public sources don’t confirm the direct connection.
The Hue-Man Bookstore
Williams-Ewing became a co-owner of the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem, New York. The store built a reputation as a significant hub for Black literature and culture. Her involvement connected her writing career to a broader cultural institution, rather than keeping her work purely personal.
Professional Identity Beyond Marriage
Several recent profiles emphasize that Williams-Ewing’s public identity resists easy summary. She holds credentials in two demanding fields, nursing and law. She built a writing career across adult fiction and children’s books. She co-owned a respected independent bookstore.
That combination separates her from many other former athletes’ spouses, whose public profile often ends when the marriage does.
Life After the Divorce
Williams-Ewing has kept a relatively private life since her divorce from Patrick Ewing. Public reporting describes her focus on:
- Raising and co-parenting her three children
- Continuing her literary work
- Maintaining her connection to the Hue-Man Bookstore
- Spending time with grandchildren, according to more recent profiles
She has largely avoided reality television, tabloid interviews, and other high-visibility paths some former athlete spouses pursue.
Patrick Ewing’s Career Context
Since much of Williams-Ewing’s public recognition connects to her former husband, a brief summary helps:
- Patrick Ewing played center for the New York Knicks for most of his NBA career.
- The Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2008.
- He later worked as an NBA head coach, including with the Charlotte Hornets.
- He and Williams-Ewing divorced in 1998, while his playing career was still active.
Ewing never publicly discussed the marriage’s end in significant detail.
Rita Williams-Ewing Timeline
- 1983: She meets Patrick Ewing while both intern for Senator Bill Bradley.
- Education years: She earns nursing and law degrees from Howard University.
- 1984: Patrick Ewing Jr. is born.
- July 27, 1990: She marries Patrick Ewing.
- 1990s: The couple has two more children, Randi and Corey.
- 1998: She and Ewing divorce after eight years of marriage.
- November 1998: Homecourt Advantage publishes through Avon/HarperCollins.
- Following years: She writes Brickhouse and the Patrick’s Pals children’s series.
- Later career: She becomes co-owner of the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem.
- Present: She lives privately, focused on family and continued literary work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rita Williams-Ewing?
She is an American author and attorney, best known as the former wife of NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing.
When did Rita Williams-Ewing marry Patrick Ewing?
They married on July 27, 1990, and divorced in 1998 after eight years together.
How many children does Rita Williams-Ewing have?
She has three children: Patrick Ewing Jr., Randi Ewing, and Corey Ewing.
What books has Rita Williams-Ewing written?
She co-wrote Homecourt Advantage with Crystal McCrary and also wrote Brickhouse and the Patrick’s Pals children’s book series.
Does Rita Williams-Ewing have a law degree?
Yes, she holds both nursing and law degrees from Howard University.
What is Rita Williams-Ewing’s connection to the Hue-Man Bookstore?
She co-owned the Harlem bookstore, a notable hub for Black literature and culture.
Where is Rita Williams-Ewing now?
She lives privately, focusing on family, her children, and her continued literary work.
What is Rita Williams-Ewing’s net worth?
No verified figure exists in reliable sources. Treat online estimates with caution.
Final Thoughts
Rita Williams-Ewing’s story goes well past a basketball marriage. She built two serious professional credentials before meeting fame. She then added a literary career and a cultural business venture afterward. Her life shows how someone can step out of a famous partner’s shadow through sustained, independent work.
