Georgetown coach and NBA Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing revealed he has tested positive for coronavirus.  

Ewing, 57, said he elected to share his diagnosis publicly on Friday to emphasise that this virus can affect anyone.

The New York Knicks great and 11-time All-Star is under care and isolated at a local hospital.

Ewing is the only member of the Georgetown men's basketball program to have tested positive for COVID-19.

"I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19," Ewing said in the statement released by Georgetown. "This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly.  

"I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines. I'll be fine and we will all get through this."

Ewing won a national championship with Georgetown in 1984 and won gold medals with Team USA at the 1984 and 1992 Olympics.

The former Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic center was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.