From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Earl Vernon Monroe (born November 21, 1944), known as "Earl the Pearl," is an American professional basketball player known for his flamboyant dribbling, passing and play-making.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, where rugged street basketball honed his playing style, Monroe rose to prominence at the Division II school Winston-Salem State.
In 1967 he joined the NBA team Baltimore Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), where he was Rookie of the Year in a season that included scoring 56 points in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the third-highest rookie total in NBA history at the time. He also spent eight years (1972-1980) with the New York Knicks, winning an NBA championship in 1973.
Monroe was named one of the 50 players on the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
Monroe was chosen commissioner of the United States Basketball League in 1985.
