Gamecocks Mourn the Passing of Former Men’s Basketball Standout Ronnie Collins

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Fame basketball standout Ronnie Collins, 79, who passed away on Tuesday. 
 
Collins played for the Gamecocks from 1961-64 when he scored 1,256 career points in 74 games played for the Garnet and Black.  He led the squad in scoring as a senior, averaging 23.7 points per game.  He earned First Team All-ACC honors that season, as he averaged 50.0 percent from the field, connecting on 211-of-422 attempts.  He set the then-ACC free throw record as a sophomore, hitting 88.4 percent at the line, and he led the Gamecocks in rebounding as a junior collecting 8.4 per game.  Collins was also selected to the ACC All-Tournament Second Team in 1962. 
 
Collins still ranks in the top 10 of several categories in the Gamecock record book.  His career average of 80.1 percent at the free throw line is seventh all-time, his career scoring mark of 17.0 points per game is tied for 10^th, his 23.7 points per game during his senior campaign is fourth for a single season, and his mark of 88.4 percent at the free throw line during his sophomore campaign is tied for second all-time in a single season.
 
A native of Winnsboro, Collins managed the family-owned bowling center following his career on the hardwood, before pursuing a career in sales.  A lifelong and devoted Gamecock fan and alum, Collins was inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002, and he was the South Carolina Men’s Basketball Legend at the 2008 SEC Tournament.
 
Funeral arrangements are pending.  Per the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Gamecock men’s basketball program by clicking HERE.