Dwayne 'Pearl' Washington Highlights - Syracuse University Basketball

In 1983, Dwayne 'Pearl' Washington (Brooklyn, NY) was the number one ranked high school basketball recruit in the country, the Most Valuable Player in the McDonald's High School All-American game, and a New York City playground hoops legend. In his senior year at Brooklyn Boys & Girls High School, he averaged 35 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists per game.

Pearl's decision to attend Syracuse University brought the school's basketball program (along with their Carrier Dome home court and the fledgling Big East Conference) unprecedented national media coverage and legitimacy. Washington played three seasons in Syracuse, garnering first-team All-Big East honors each year and second-team All-American nods in 1985 (AP) and 1986 (UPI).

Best known for electrifying crowds with his mastery of the crossover dribble and 'shake and bake' scoring moves, Washington was also the quintessential point guard, excelling in both the half-court and transition offense. He averaged nearly 7 assists over his career, and established an SU single-game record with 18 assists in a 82-81 road win at Alumni Hall against Chris Mullin and St. John's in 1984.

Washington's ball-handling skills made him a one-man full-court press breaker, and his penchant for late-game heroics (SU was 6-1 in games decided by 1 point during Pearl's tenure) cemented his legacy as one of college basketball's all-time greats. His last-second half court game-winning heave in the Dome against Boston College in 1984 stands as one of the great buzzer-beaters in NCAA hoops history.

In 1996, Pearl's uniform (#31) was retired by SU. Washington eventually returned to Syracuse University to complete his studies, and graduated in 1999. Pearl was named to the Syracuse University All Century Team in 2000; in 2004, he earned a spot on the Big East Conference's 25th Anniversary First Team.

Many thanks to http://www.orangehoops.org for biographical and statistical information.

Music: 'Ain't No Half-Steppin' by Big Daddy Kane (Brooklyn,NY) (1988)

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[pearlwashington31]

This is one of the BEST video's made of me ! Thanks Orangecage Fan ! Great Work

[hooperqi]

Pearl my favorite college point guard ever. Love that signature move where Pearl fake with the body to the right, keep the ball in the left hand and drive left. Or fake body right, go left, and then cross back to the right low to the ground. I studied that move and used it, gotta love it, break some ankles. lol Thanks Pearl, you da man!

[glasfurd31]

@pearlwashington31 How's your health these days? I know you were going through a rough time a while back. Hope you're doing all right. Watched you in awe in the 80s. Even met you once in Sadler Hall. Only one Pearl.

[glasfurd31]

I was in the Dome for the BC game. It was the only time in my life that I heard 30,000 people in 0.3 seconds of silence followed by absolutely hysteria. A very cool customer & totally fearless, the Pearl was the best. Met him once at a party in Sadler Hall. Maybe he didn't have the greatest pro career but his moves at SU will live with me forever. I'm a 31 kind of guy too. Go Pearl!

[readmore2008]

Was "must see" run home, do your homework/chores etc. by 7:30pm to see Pearl do his thing on ESPN in the Big East Conference. Literally, I can remember planning my "to do" list around PW and Chris Mullin and Walter Berry at St John's to a lesser extent but after CM went pro it was all Pearl ant Walter

[hoovercrip7]

Pearl you made ESPN. We use to get out of school and race home to turn on Syracuse games. I'm from Los Angeles so the gmaes came on at 4:30pm. Thanks you were and are still the best! Met you in Las Vegas you were gracious enough to take a pic with me-thanks!

[gbinct]

@pearlwashington31 You're the reason I fell in love with basketball in 1984.

[bt6pack]

The legend Pearl. Nobody could cut through a full court press better. Behind his back through a double team, are you kidding me? Thanks for 4 thrilling years of SU basketball.

[fairalways]

I was at few of those games. So many oranges tossed at the floor the games were extra-long to clean up the juice.

[MidniteSu]

Pearl put the CUSE on da map ! thank you pearl for the memories !!!! maaaan I lost dat picture of me and Pearl!!! oh and you crossed da shyt out of Michael Jackson lmao !!

[clh2192]

Pac Man! No film of when he shook Michael Jackson (GTown) to the floor?Classic!