In a statement posted on Ewing's Twitter account, Georgetown University allowed him to impart a message to emphasize that the virus could affect anyone.

Friends send their regards

"I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19," he said. He added that the virus should not be taken lightly. "I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones."

Before the quarantine measures, Ewing completed his third season working for the basketball team at Georgetown. The university reported that no other member of the team or staff have tested positive. They confirmed that he was currently isolated at a local hospital.

Former United States Representative Harold Ford Jr. said that night that he would be sending prayers for Ewing and his family.

Ewing played seventeen seasons in the National Basketball Association, most of which for the New York Knicks. He was recognized as an NBA All-Star eleven times. The team sent Ewing their regards and kind words. A New York Knicks player is still yet to surpass Ewing's legacy.

"I went to war with you for ten years," Charles Oakley posted on his social media of Ewing. He promised he would not leave him on the battlefield now and wished him good health.

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Basketball players positive for COVID-19

Ewing was not the first athlete to contract COVID-19, and neither would he be the last.

Last March the match between Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed after center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus. At the time, he was in Oklahoma City but was absent for the game.

The Jazz players were tested in Chesapeake Energy Arena. Because they made contact with players from other NBA teams recently, about 20% of players at the NBA were quarantined. After postponing the game, the NBA suspended the season.

Later that week, Utah Jazz's own Donovan Mitchell was also confirmed positive for the virus. Apart from him, every other player in the team tested negative, according to news reports by Athletic's Shams Charania.

Christian Wood, from the Detroit Pistons, became the third NBA player to be infected with COVID-19. His results were published in mid-March as well. Wood appeared to be showing no symptoms, and officials looked into more members who might have caught the disease.

The Pistons said in a statement that Wood was under the care of medical staff and was self-isolating since the night of the supposed game. They confirmed that the preliminary test result came back positive on March 14.

They concluded the announcement by saying that the health and safety of the players and the organization in the league was paramount.

The team made no confirmation as to how or where Wood might have contracted the virus, but Wood might have come into contact with Gobert back when the Jazz played them earlier that month.