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 is "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. Following his release, Washington played for the Rapid City Thrillers and San Jose Jammers in the Continental Basketball Association.
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“While I do not think it was so intended I have always been of the opinion that this turned out to be much the best for me. I had no national experience. What I have ever been able to do has been the result of first learning how to do it. I am not gifted with intuition. I need not only hard work but experience to be ready to solve problems. The Presidents who have gone to Washington without first having held some national office have been at great disadvantage.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)