Former Syracuse Basketball Star Pearl Washington In Hospital With Brain Tumor

Former Syracuse Orange basketball player Dwayne "Pearl" Washington has suffered a relapse of a brain tumor that was first treated back in November of 1995. He will have surgery at Crouse Hospital coming up on Thursday.

According to Syracuse.com, Washington has been reluctant to speak publicly about the recurrence of the tumor. His close friend Mark Finney explains Washington is a very private person.

"Many prayers are requested," Finney said. "Pearl has prayed for a lot of people over the years and we'd ask that you please pay back those prayers to Pearl.""

Washington averaged 15.7 points and 6.7 assists during his career playing with the Syracuse Orange. On on January 21st, 1984, he famously tossed in a 45-footer at the buzzer to defeat Boston College 75-73. He was chosen with the 13th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, and played three years in that league.

Just recently as of April, Washington played in the 13th Annual Celebrity Classic Wheelchair Basketball Game at Utica College on the celebrities team. Proceeds from that event benefit the Sitrin STARS program, which provides opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to participate in a variety of sports including wheelchair curling, road racing, target shooting, paddling, biathlon, and archery, in addition to wheelchair basketball.

We ask for you to keep our friend Pearl in your prayers, and wish him the best recovery.