Former Syracuse basketball player Dwayne “Pearl” Washington’s condition is improving, Father Linus DeSantis said at a vigil held for Washington at Hendricks Chapel Thursday.

“We were just informed, actually this morning … he’s progressing,” DeSantis said. “He’s getting better. That’s a fact. That’s not heresy.”

Washington was reportedly diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and surgery was unsuccessful in fully removing the mass. This is not his first brain tumor — Washington was also reportedly diagnosed with a brain tumor 20 years ago, but it was benign.

The vigil Thursday was held at the request of a student, Maggie Byrne, a Syracuse campus minister announced at the vigil, and a bigger vigil is planned for later this year. A picture of Washington wearing his No. 31 Boys and Girls (New York) High School jersey was placed between two lit candles at the ceremony.

He played at SU for three seasons, starting in 1983. Washington is most remembered for his half-court shot against Boston College in 1984, when he won the game at the buzzer. The highlight is still played before SU basketball games in the Carrier Dome.