Washington Wizards: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Before there was Magic Johnson, there was Earl ‘The Pearl” Monroe. He was the second overall pick by the Bullets in the 1967 NBA Draft out of Division II Winston-Salem State University. He led the team to a Division II title after averaging 41.5 points per game as a senior. “The Pearl” earned his nickname for his flashy ball-handling and ability to score on acrobatic layups.

Monroe averaged 23.7 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in 328 appearances spanning roughly four seasons for the Bullets. He was awarded the 1967-68 NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game his first season in the league.

Monroe was responsible for leading Baltimore to three playoff appearances (1969, 1970 and 1971) including the 1971 NBA Final. He also made two All-Star appearances with the team during the 1968-69 and 1970-71 seasons.

Baltimore lost to a Milwaukee Bucks squad led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson in the 1971 NBA Finals. “The Pearl” averaged 22.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds a contest during that postseason run.

During the 1971-72 season, he was traded to the New York Knicks for Mike Riordan and Dave Stallworth. Monroe spent nine seasons with the Knicks (1971-80) and won the 1973 NBA Championship with Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Jerry Lucas in tow.

In 1990, Monroe was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after 13 seasons in the NBA. He was named one of the 50 greatest players in league history in 1996.