The POP-EXPOSE ‘Pearl Washington’ by Mitchell Smith!

The POP-EXPOSE Pearl Washington

Living in Syracuse Pearl Washington was a name I had heard mentioned but I never really knew much about the SU stand out. Washington was born and raised in Brooklyn and gained the nickname Pearl after NBA great Earl “the Pearl” Monroe. In 1983 he was rated the number 1 overall high school basketball player in the country. Syracuse would get a commitment and put SU on the map. Hall of fame coach Jim Boeheim has stated that Washington is the player that shot SU in to the spotlight and made it possible to recruit better players and build the program into what it is today.

One of his most memorable shots was a half court buzzer beater to keep them undefeated in the regular season against Boston College. Washington had a short stint in the NBA with the Nets and the Heat, but he truly was a treasure for Syracuse. This years basketball team sported warm ups with Pearls name on them. The support and respect poured out around the city as Pearl fought for his life. The community of Syracuse will miss him dearly.

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