Who is Patrick Ewing's ex-wife Rita Williams? Closer look at their relationship timeline
Patrick Ewing was still a bonafide NBA star when he married Rita Williams in 1990 in a private ceremony. They were a couple for seven years before Williams filed for divorce in 1998.
The two reportedly met in 1983 while Williams was working as an intern for former Senator Bill Bradley's staff. They had three kids together before they called it quits.
July 27, 1990 NBA star Patrick Ewing (27) weds Rita Williams, divorce in 1998 #PatrickEwing #OnThisDate #PR https://t.co/lsXMHjBohR
Patrick Ewing Jr., the most recognizable among their children, followed in his father's footsteps. He played for Indiana University in his first two years in college before eventually joining the Georgetown Hoyas.
Ewing and Rita Williams were already divorced by the time Ewing Jr. started his collegiate hoops career.
Ewing Jr. eventually made it to the NBA when the Sacramento Kings picked him in the 2008 NBA draft. He was then traded to the New York Knicks but never played a game there.
Despite his short-lived stint in pro basketball, his parents were proud that their son made it to the toughest basketball league in the world.
Rita has a degree in nursing and law but not much is known about her current status. She wrote a novel titled "Homecourt Advantage" where she discussed many things, including infidelity among pro athletes.
Rita Williams denies her book was a shot at Patrick Ewing
Despite rumors of Patrick Ewing's affairs, Rita Williams never believed them. One of the former Knicks center's alleged affairs was with Heather Errico, a dancer for the Knicks City.
Besides stories of cheating, Ewing also supposedly fathered a child with an unnamed woman.
Williams insisted that her book, "Homecourt Advantage," was not a dig at her former husband. Her novel revolved around the character of a woman who was married to an NBA player.
The woman eventually left the basketball player due to extramarital affairs. While the book is very similar to the then-couple's life, she never admitted her work was the fruit of their marital struggles.
After her controversial book, she completely changed her angle and wrote "Patrick's Pals," a series for children.
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