6. Dwayne “Pearl” Washington: Syracuse - (1983-1986) Brooklyn, NY

Three years: 15.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 6.7 apg, 2.3 spg, 52.4% FG, 72.9% FT.

Rookie of the Year (1984)

Second Team Consensus All-American (1985)

Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin made the Big East powerful, but it was the Pearl who showed it could be thrilling, too. Washington put up very good numbers in his career, but he was more than that. He was the first playground star who still played like a playground star in college, and that endeared him to fans all over the country. There was always drama when he was on the court because you never knew what crazy play he would make. The master of the “shake and bake”, the indelible impression he made is still evident in playgrounds across the country where, more than two decades after his college career ended, you can still hear a crazy dribbling move met with the question, “Who do you think you are, Pearl Washington?”

His arrival in Syracuse was met with great anticipation and Pearl didn’t disappoint with 14.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.4 spg, and, for a guard, a sky high 54.4% from the field. As a sophomore, Pearl again was dominant with 15.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 6.1 apg, 2.0 spg, and 78.4% from the line. As a junior, Pearl had his best season with 17.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.6 spg, and 53.5% from the field. Always at his best in Madison Square Garden, his last Big East game was a one point loss in the conference championship game. But despite that, he became the only tournament MVP from a losing team thanks to his 22.7 ppg and 9.7 apg in the three games.

“Great college player,” remembered former Big East play-by-play commentator for ESPN Mike Gorman. “Pearl (was) like water seeking it’s level going through a press. “He had a real flair for the game and himself.”

Washington left after his junior season with 1,484 points, as well as finishing 4th all-time in Big East play with 6.6 apg, and 15th all-time in the conference games with 2.3 spg. Washington also still holds the NCAA freshman record when he had 18 assists against Providence. But maybe the most amazing statistic involving Washington is that in a game where most guards have a field goal percentage of well under 50%, Washington is 7th all-time in conference games by making 55.3% of his shots from the field.

He was taken 13th overall by the New Jersey Nets but his style did not translate to the NBA. After three unsuccessful seasons, he was out of the game.