Dwayne Washington
Encyclopedia
Dwayne Alonzo Washington (born January 6, 1964 in Brooklyn
, New York
) is a retired American
college basketball
star and professional player from 1986-1989. His nickname was "Pearl". He was a 6'2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) guard.
Washington grew up in the Brownsville
section 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 the number 1 overall ranked high school player in 1983. He 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.
Washington was drafted by the New Jersey Nets
in the 1st round (13th pick) of the 1986 NBA draft
. In two seasons with the Nets he averaged 9 points per game. In 1988 the Miami Heat
selected him in their expansion draft. He played 54 games for the Heat before being released.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
star and professional player from 1986-1989. His nickname was "Pearl". He was a 6'2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) guard.
Washington grew up in the Brownsville
Brownsville, Brooklyn
Brownsville is a residential neighborhood located in eastern Brooklyn, New York City.The total land area is one square mile, and the ZIP code for the neighborhood is 11212....
section of Brooklyn, where he acquired his nickname as an eight-year-old in a taunting comparison to Earl "the Pearl" Monroe
Earl Monroe
Vernon Earl Monroe is an American former professional basketball player known for his flamboyant dribbling, passing, and play-making. His nicknames is "Earl the Pearl".-Early years:...
.
He was a playground phenomenon from Boys and Girls High School
Boys and Girls High School
Boys and Girls High School, the oldest public high school in Brooklyn, is a comprehensive high school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York...
in Brooklyn, and was the number 1 overall ranked high school player in 1983. He brought his flashy play to Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
and the Carrier Dome
Carrier Dome
The Carrier Dome is a 49,250-seat domed sports stadium located on the campus of Syracuse University in the University Hill neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, USA. It is home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. High school football championships are also held in "The...
. 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.
Washington was drafted by the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 1st round (13th pick) of the 1986 NBA draft
1986 NBA Draft
-Drug and health issues involving drafted players:There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly-touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. His...
. In two seasons with the Nets he averaged 9 points per game. In 1988 the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
selected him in their expansion draft. He played 54 games for the Heat before being released.