Gallery: Pearl Washington throughout his Syracuse career

Against Georgetown in 1985, Washington hit a jumper with eight seconds left in the game to help the Syracuse down the Hoyas. Daily Orange File Photo

Maybe the defining moment of Pearl's career, "The Shot" is what people recognize him by. It came from half court and helped Syracuse down Boston College in 1984. Daily Orange File Photo

Washington transformed from a high school prospect and playground prodigy to one of the biggest draws in college basketball. Daily Orange File Photo

On Wednesday, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said that Washington was the most exciting basketball player he's ever seen. Daily Orange File Photo

Washington earned the nickname "Pearl" from playing on the playgrounds of New York City and was nicknamed after Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. Daily Orange File Photo

Boeheim said the first time he saw Washington play, there were people in the gym five hours before the game started. Daily Orange File Photo

The Carrier Dome was in its first few years of existence when Washington came to Syracuse and he helped SU fill the Dome with crowds of more than 30,000 people. Daily Orange File Photo

Washington scored 1,484 points in his three-year Syracuse career. He passed up his final year of eligibility to go to the NBA though he did later return to SU to earn a degree. Daily Orange File Photo

Washington helped bring Syracuse to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances during his three-year SU career. Daily Orange File Photo

Washington was named the 1986 Big East tournament MVP. He scored 68 points and had 29 assists in three games and elevated his game while playing in Madison Square Garden. Daily Orange File Photo

Washington's signature move was his crossover dribble, which often left defenders on the ground after he beat them with his nifty skills. Daily Orange File Photo