Dwayne "Pearl" Alonzo
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Pro basketball star Dwayne Alonzo "Pearl" Washington got his nickname from Hall of Famer Earl "the Pearl" Monroe. At the age of eight, Washington was already a NYC playground legend. Not surprisingly, while in high school he became the most highly recruited basketball player in the country. Ultimately, he chose Syracuse, at which he was named Big East rookie of the year. Washington also played for the NJ Nets. He died from a brain tumor at the age of 53. He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Queens, New York.