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. 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.\n', '

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. 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.\n', '

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

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