Luck of the Draw

May 12, 1985

On May 12, 1985 Knicks general manager Dave DeBusschere was given something he did not expect. He attended church that very morning for a quick prayer about the NBA draft. When he arrived to the Waldorf Astoria, he was handed a Knicks pin that had a blue rabbits foot attached. He handed it to a near onlooker.

He was given the first pick of the draft.

This pick led to 7 foot Patrick Ewing, the New York Knicks franchise player. DeBusschere presented Ewing with a white, number 33 jersey, same number as his Georgetown uniform. Patrick Ewing became the 1986 Rookie of the Year and led the Knicks to the playoffs in 13 of his 15 seasons with the team.