Syracuse legend Dwayne ‘Pearl’ Washington dies at age 52

Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, one of the most beloved basketball players in Syracuse history, died Wednesday at age 52, the school announced.

The heralded point guard was diagnosed with a brain tumor last summer and underwent surgery and various other treatments since the tumor was detected.

Washington became a legend at Syracuse during a three-year college career in which he earned first-team all-Big East honors three times. He averaged 15.7 points and 2.3 steals and still ranks third all-time in school history in assists despite turning pro after his junior year in 1986.

While Washington’s stats alone are impressive, it was the flair and pizazz with which he played that made him a fan favorite. He had a handle so tight he could practically dribble through a crowded subway and a crossover dribble so lethal it often sent hapless defenders sprawling.

Washington also had a knack for coming up big at the biggest moments. His most memorable shot was a half-court buzzer beater during his freshman season that toppled 16th-ranked Boston College and helped a previously unranked Syracuse team gain national relevance.

In Washington’s final season at Syracuse, he led the Orange to a share of the Big East title and saved his best moments for the conference tournament. He had 21 points and 11 assists in a semifinal victory over Georgetown and 20 points and 14 assists in a one-point title game loss to St. John’s, earning tournament MVP honors even though Syracuse finished as runner-ups.

There was no better guy and there’s nobody who has meant more to our basketball program than Dwayne Washington.#CuseFamily

— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) April 20, 2016

You will forever be in our hearts. We love you.

— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) April 20, 2016

Washington developed his crowd-pleasing style on the blacktops of New York City. The Brooklyn native was already a playground phenomenon before he arrived at Syracuse, earning the nickname “Pearl” as a tribute to NBA great Earl “The Pearl” Monroe.

Washington became one of the most coveted recruits in the nation at Brooklyn’s Boys and Girls High School, where he routinely scored as many as 50 or 60 points in a single game. He chose Syracuse during an interview with Al McGuire at halftime of a nationally televised game between St. John’s and DePaul.

The timing of Washington’s arrival was fortuitous for both Syracuse and the fledgling Big East conference.

He helped Syracuse evolve from a regional power to a national brand. He teamed with early Big East stars Chris Mullin and Patrick Ewing to transform the Big East into college basketball’s glamour conference. And he inspired future guards such as Tim Hardaway and Allen Iverson with his shake-and-bake crossovers and deadly leaning jumpers.

While Washington lasted only three seasons in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets and expansion Miami Heat, that never diminished his stature at Syracuse. In March 1996, Washington’s jersey was retired in a ceremony at the Carrier Dome.

Washington was a frequent visitor at the Carrier Dome before falling ill. This past season, Syracuse honored Washington by wearing warmup shirts with “Pearl” and “31” inscribed on them.

Highlights from Washington’s Syracuse career: