Ewing calls it quits

Ewing (centre) made the All-Star team 11 times

Legendary NBA star Patrick Ewing has announced his retirement from competitive basketball at the age of 40.

His had been in doubt after the Orlando Magic, who he played for last season, said he would not return for the new campaign.

Ewing spent the majority of his career at the New York Knicks, and holds almost every record available for the team.

And he made the announcement of his retirement back in New York.

"It's time to move on," he said at a news conference.

"It was a great ride, I'm sorry I couldn't bring a championship here."

Patrick Ewing profile

He was voted one of the NBA's 50 greatest players of all time in 1997, and made the All-Star team in 11 of his 17 seasons in the NBA.

After 15 seasons with the Knicks, he joined Seattle for a year until he left for Orlando.

He has averaged 21 points and 9.8 rebounds in his career.

Last season with Orlando was his least productive as he averaged six points and four rebounds a game.

Minutes after announcing his retirement, Ewing declared he would be working alongside Michael Jordan as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards.

Jordan came out of retirement to play for the Wizards last season.

"Michael always needled me from afar about those play-off series in which they beat us," Ewing said.

"I guess the bad thing about taking this job is now I'll probably hear about it every day."

Ewing's primary responsibility in Washington will be to work with Wizards centre Brendan Haywood.