Dwayne Washington (basketball) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Dwayne Washington

Personal information
Born	(1964-01-06)January 6, 1964 Brooklyn, New York
Nationality	American
Died	April 20, 2016(2016-04-20) (aged 52) The Bronx, New York
High school	Boys and Girls (Brooklyn, New York)
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College	Syracuse (1983–1986)
NBA Draft	1986 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall
Selected by the New Jersey Nets
Pro career	1986–1991
Career history
1986–1988	New Jersey Nets
1988–1989	Miami Heat
1989–1990	Rapid City Thrillers
1990–1991	San Jose Jammers
Career highlights and awards
Consensus second-team All-American (1985) Second-team All-American – UPI (1986) Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (1986) 3× First-team All-Big East (1984–1986) No. 31 retired by Syracuse Orange First-team Parade All-American (1983) Second-team Parade All-American (1982)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  United States FIBA U19 World Championship Gold 1983 Palma de Mallorca National team

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.

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. 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.

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 ever had to guard.

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.

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.

Personal life

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

See also

In Spanish: Dwayne Washington para niños