New York ? Patrick Ewing retired from the NBA on Tuesday, ending the 17-year career of one of the league’s greatest centers but leaving him short of his repeated promise to win a championship.

Ewing, an 11-time All-Star who was chosen as one of the 50 best players in league history, spent 15 years with the New York Knicks, averaging 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. He was traded to Seattle before the 2000 season and then signed as a free agent with Orlando last year.

The 40-year-old center finishes his NBA career with 24,815 points and 11,606 rebounds.

“It’s time to move on,” Ewing said at a news conference. “It was a great ride.

“I’m disappointed that I never won a championship in the pros, I’ve got to add that. But I’m at peace.”

Ewing said he has been hired as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards, meaning he will be on a team with the player who often denied him his shot at an NBA title: Michael Jordan.

“Instead of needling me from afar, he’ll be needling me in the same town. We’ll be in the same organization,” Ewing said.