Dwayne Washington (basketball)

Dwayne Alonzo "Pearl" Washington (January 6, 1964 – April 20, 2016) was an American professional basketball player. He was a 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 190 pounds (86 kg) guard.

For other basketball players, see Duane Washington and Duane Washington Jr.

Dwayne Washington
Personal information
Born(1964-01-06)January 6, 1964
Brooklyn, New York
DiedApril 20, 2016(2016-04-20) (aged 52)
The Bronx, New York
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolBoys and Girls (Brooklyn, New York)
CollegeSyracuse (1983–1986)
NBA draft1986: 1st round, 13th overall pick
Selected by the New Jersey Nets
Playing career1986–1991
PositionPoint guard
Number1, 31
Career history
1986–1988New Jersey Nets
1988–1989Miami Heat
1989–1990Rapid City Thrillers
1990–1991San Jose Jammers
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA U19 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1983 Palma de Mallorca National team

Early life

Washington grew up in the Brownsville section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, where he acquired his nickname as an eight-year-old in a taunting comparison to Earl "the Pearl" Monroe.[1] He was a playground phenomenon from Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, and was rated as the number one overall high school player in the United States in 1983.[2]

College career

Washington brought his flashy play to Syracuse University and the Carrier Dome. "The Pearl" was the master of the "shake and bake", in which he would leave his defensive opposition standing still while he drove by them for a layup. Utah Jazz point guard and NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton named Washington as the toughest player he guarded at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials training camp.[3]

Professional career

New Jersey Nets (1986-1988)

Washington was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the first round (13th pick) of the 1986 NBA draft. In two seasons with the Nets he averaged 9 points per game.

Miami Heat (1988-1989)

In 1988 the Miami Heat selected Washington in their expansion draft. He played 54 games for the Heat before being released.[4]

Rapid City Thrillers and San Jose Jammers (1989-1991)

Following Washington's release from Miami, Washington played for the Rapid City Thrillers and San Jose Jammers in the Continental Basketball Association.[5]

Personal life

Washington had surgery on August 27, 2015, at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse to address a malignant brain tumor.[6] He died on April 20, 2016, at the age of 52.[7]

References
  1. Vecsey, George. "SPORTS OF THE TIMES; The Pearl Fits In At Syracuse", The New York Times, March 9, 1984. Accessed December 5, 2007. "This part of the legend does survive: Washington admits that when he was 8 years old at the Howard Housing Project in Brownsville, his elders asked him: Who do you think you are, the Pearl?"
  2. "hot". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  3. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "John Stockton on the Dan Patrick Show (Full Interview) 6/20/14". YouTube.
  4. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Heat Releases Pearl Washington". The New York Times. June 30, 1989. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  5. 1991-92 Official CBA Guide and Register, page 329
  6. Red, Christian; Armstrong, Kevin (August 31, 2015). "Syracuse basketball star Dwayne 'Pearl' Washington has malignant brain tumor: report". nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  7. "Former Syracuse basketball star Pearl Washington dies at 52". Los Angeles Times. April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
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