Former Syracuse star Pearl Washington dies at 52
"People were standing there for hours (before the game)," Boeheim said Wednesday, his voice barely audible at times as he contemplated the impactful career of his most important player.
Dwayne "Pearl" Washington, who went from New York City playground wonder to Big East star for Boeheim at Syracuse, died Wednesday of cancer in New York City, the university announced.
Neither mattered — he simply excited fans with his remarkable ball-handling skills, an uncanny court sense, elusiveness, and the ability to make an amazing play at the most opportune time.
In a tie game, Washington took an outlet pass, raced up court and swished the winning shot from beyond half court as time expired.
Exhibiting his flair for the dramatic, the 6-foot-2 Washington never stopped running after he took the shot until he made it to the locker room.
In the championship game against St. John's, Washington had 20 points and 14 assists but was denied a game-winner when his layup was blocked by Walter Berry.
After Syracuse lost to Navy in the second round of the 1986 NCAA Tournament, Washington chose to forgo his senior year and enter the NBA draft, the first player under Boeheim to leave school early.
Washington was the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA draft and went to the New Jersey Nets.
Syracuse retired his No. 31 jersey in 1996 and his high school followed suit earlier this month in a final tribute.