Patrick Ewing: The Georgetown Years

Patrick Ewing arrived on the campus of Georgetown in 1981 and made an immediate impact, averaging 13 points and 7.5 rebounds as a freshman.

Patrick Ewing made an immediate impact on the Hoyas, improving their win total from 20 to 30 games in his freshman year.

Ewing quickly earned a reputation as one of college basketball's top shot blockers. Over his four-year career, he compiled 493 blocks, an average of 3.4 per game.

Among Ewing's stiffest competition was Virginia's 7-foot-4 center Ralph Sampson. The two were widely considered the nation's two best big men.

Ewing led his Hoyas to the national championship game against North Carolina. He was famously called for goaltending on each of North Carolina's first five shots, sending a message that he was in control of the paint.

Ewing wasn't the only 19-year-old freshman playing in the 1982 National Championship game. North Carolina's Michael Jordan hit the game-winning jumper from the left wing with 17 seconds to go.

Despite a solid outing against the Tar Heels ( 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks), Ewing and his Hoyas lost by a point when Georgetown's Fred Brown accidentally passed to UNC's James Worthy to clinch a Tar Heel title.

Coach John Thompson and Patrick Ewing helped revitalize Georgetown hoops as "Hoya Paranoia" swept the nation.

After a run to the finals in Ewing's freshman year, Georgetown took a step back his sophomore season, losing to Memphis State in the second round.

By the start of the 1984 season, Georgetown was the popular choice to win the championship and Ewing was the nation's top player. In this photo, he gives President Reagan a few shooting tips.

Reagan, now confident in his shooting stroke, poses with Ewing and Georgetown coach John Thompson.

Georgetown easily swept through the 1984 Big East Tournament, defeating Syracuse in the finals. Ewing is shown here with his MVP trophy.

Ewing celebrates with Clifton Dairsow after the Hoyas defeated Houston to win the national championship.

Though Ewing would lose to Villanova in the championship of his senior season, he had reason to celebrate. He left Georgetown as one of the top college players of all time and one of the school's 1,460 graduates in 1985.