ALL-TIME BIG EAST TOP 50 PLAYERS, St. John's News, Syracuse News

BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #6 & #5

Today we continue the countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to the #1 Big East player of all-time.

Today we continue in the Top 10 with a look at players checking in at #6 and at #5 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

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.
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5) Walter Berry: St. John’s – (1984-86) New York, NY

Two years: 20.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.8 spg, 1.7 bpg, 58.1% FG, 70.8% FT.

Player of the Year (1986)

First Team Consensus All-American (1986)

National AP Player of the Year (1986)

USBWA National Player of the Year (1986)

Wooden Award- National Player of the Year (1986)

UPI National Player of the Year (1986)

Because he played a year of junior college and left a year early, Berry only played two seasons in the Big East, but it was long enough to establish himself as a superstar. Berry, along with Patrick Ewing and former teammate Chris Mullin, are the only Big East players to be named as National Player of the Year.

“The Truth”, as he was affectionately known, helped St. John’s get to the Final Four as a sophomore. Despite being on a loaded team that included Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, and Bill Wennington, Berry averaged 17.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 55.8% from the field. But it was during his junior season that Berry exploded into a force. With Wennington graduating, the 6’8” Berry moved to center, and became the featured player on the team. To say he responded is an understatement, as Berry averaged 23.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg, and 59.8% from the floor. At the end of that season, Berry was considered the best player in the country, winning every major Player of the Year Award.

In just two seasons, Berry amassed 1,424 points and 703 rebounds. His 19.8 ppg in conference play is 9th best all-time, while his 9.7 rpg in conference play ranks 7th.

Berry was drafted 14th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite averaging a respectful 14.1 ppg over his first three years, Berry left the league and played professionally in Italy and Greece, where he was a huge star.
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Note: The only criteria that was used to compile the list was how well a player performed in college, specifically in the conference, physically as well as the degree of impact he made for his program or the league. NOT taken into consideration was the general popularity of the player, how high he was drafted into the NBA, or even his pro career. Also, no current players are eligible.

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