Syracuse, N.Y. — Jim Boeheim, more emotional than anyone can ever remember seeing him, spent roughly 10 minutes with the media on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the late Pearl Washington.
Washington, the former Syracuse University basketball player, passed away early Wednesday morning after a battle with brain cancer. Washington was 52 years old.
"It's been a really tough day,'' Boeheim said. "I think we've all known this was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier.''
Washington played at Syracuse for three years from 1983 to 1986. His flamboyant style on the court helped fill the Carrier Dome and brought national attention to Syracuse and the fledgling Big East Conference.