The great Pearl Washington has passed away, Syracuse University has announced today. This is a very sad day for the Orange Nation, and that’s an understatement. Pearl battled a malignant brain tumor and, in the past couple weeks, word came that he’d taken a turn for the worst. And now, the great #31 has succumbed to his illness.
The great Pearl Washington has passed away. The entire Orange Nation mourns. https://t.co/RhsNsNjfDm
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) April 20, 2016
Pearl was 52 years old, and one of the men who put Syracuse University basketball on the national map. During his career at Syracuse, Pearl scored 1,490 points, averaging 15.7 points-per-game for his career. He was taken in the first round of the 1986 NBA Draft by the Nets with 13th pick in the first round. He spent three seasons in the NBA; two with the Nets, and one with the Miami Heat. Pearl scored 1,660 points in his three year career, averaging 8.6 points and 3.8 assists-per-game.
On a Mount Rushmore for Syracuse basketball, Pearl Washington has long since solidified his place as one of the all-time greatest players in Orange history, and one of the most exciting college basketball players of the past 35 years.
Rest in peace, Pearl.
PEARL WASHINGTON PT GOD R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/WRnHB8hM0U
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) April 20, 2016
Pearl Washington, as smooth a handle as there has ever been https://t.co/O5CkPPCFOz (@ThabitiBoone)
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) April 20, 2016
So sad. Devastated reading this news about our friend Pearl Washington. An icon and truly sweet man. RIP Pearl. https://t.co/BvhPYL9bnW
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) April 20, 2016
Sad to hear the passing of the great Pearl Washington🙏🏻 #31 #RIP
— Breanna Stewart (@bre_stewart30) April 20, 2016
#FCancer https://t.co/ODZ7rqnv0G
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) April 20, 2016
The most exciting, watchable, beloved Syracuse player of all time, Pearl Washington, has died. https://t.co/O1Y8tXj0Hj
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 20, 2016
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 20, 2016
Pearl Washington once told me, after making famous halfcourt shot, he ran straight to locker room and called family on pay phone. #RIP
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 20, 2016
person, role model and had a great personality. When you think of the Big East Conference, you think of Pearl Washington. RIP Pearl. # 31
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) April 20, 2016
You will forever be in our hearts. We love you.
— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) April 20, 2016
