Washington was the 13th pick in the first round of the 1986 NBA draft and went to the New Jersey Nets. He finished his college career as the school’s all-time leader in assists and still ranks third. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds and led the Orange in assists and steals in each of his three years. Washington’s collegiate achievements included Big East rookie of the year, first-team Big East for three years and first team all-American his junior year. Washington announced he would forgo his senior year and enter the NBA draft, the first player under Boeheim to leave Syracuse early. Syracuse lost in the second round of the 1986 NCAA Tournament, 97-85, to a Navy team led by center David Robinson. Washington had 20 points and 14 assists, but he was denied a game-winner when Walter Berry blocked his layup after a court-long dash. John’s and again led the Orange to the Big East finals in 1986 after a dramatic 75-73 overtime win over Georgetown in the semifinals. As a junior, he had a pair of 35-point games against St. Washington had some of his best moments in an arena he cherished - New York’s Madison Square Garden. Later that winter, he set a Syracuse record with 18 assists against St.
The Orange entered the top 20 the week after that memorable shot and remained there for the rest of Mr. Washington never stopped running after he took the shot until he made it to the locker room. Washington took an outlet pass, raced up court and swished the winning shot from beyond half court as time expired.Įxhibiting his flair for the dramatic, Mr.
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When Martin Clark missed a free throw for the Eagles in a tie game with only seconds on the clock, Mr. Washington made his mark in a nationally televised game on Jan. 21, 1984, against Boston College. A controversial call late in the title game allowed the Hoyas to tie the game in regulation and win in overtime. Washington led the Orange to the conference tournament finals against nemesis Georgetown. Everybody knew who the Pearl was.”Īs a freshman, Mr. “I can’t underscore how big a moment that was for our program,” Boeheim wrote in his recent book “Color Him Orange: The Jim Boeheim Story.” “I believe at that point we officially went from being an Eastern program to a national program. He ranks as one of Coach Jim Boeheim’s most important players. He committed to Syracuse in 1983 and left an indelible mark on Orange basketball. Washington was the most highly recruited basketball player in the country after averaging 35 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as a senior. (Ron Frehm/AP)Ī New York City playground legend who starred at Boys and Girls High School and on playgrounds throughout the city, the 6-foot-2 Mr. Syracuse’s Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, left, looks for running room as he dribbles the ball against Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing (33) and Horace Broadnax (32) in 1985. He acquired his nickname as an 8-year-old when he was compared to former NBA star Earl “the Pearl” Monroe. His play was instrumental in helping create the aura of greatness the Big East Conference had during its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s.ĭwayne Alonzo Washington was born Jan. 24, 1964, and grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. Washington to drive to the hoop for an easy layup. His signature move was the crossover dribble - the “shake-and-bake” - which froze defenders, enabling Mr.
He simply excited fans with his amazing ball-handling skills, an uncanny court sense, elusiveness and the ability to pull off unbelievable plays at the right time.
Washington was not particularly fast nor could he jump particularly high. He had surgery last August to address the recurrence of a brain tumor, originally diagnosed in 1995. The cause was brain cancer, the university said. (Richard Drew/AP)ĭwayne “Pearl” Washington, a college basketball star who went from the New York City playgrounds to an all-American standout at Syracuse University, died April 20. Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, center, of Syracuse University drives around Dana Barros, left, of Boston College in 1986.
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