Gamecock Basketball Great Art Whisnant Passes Away

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Former University of South Carolina men’s basketball standout Art Whisnant has passed away, he was 81 years old.  The Gamecock great was a three-time All-ACC selection during his career in the Garnet and Black from 1959-62, and he was selected to the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, and the State of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

Whisnant was a standout for the Gamecocks during his career from 1959-62.  The Icard, N.C., native scored 1,505 career points, which ranks 11th in Carolina history, and his 723 career rebounds rank just outside of the top 10.  Whisnant earned All-ACC second-team accolades in 1960 and 1961, and he was selected to the First Team as a senior in 1962.  Whisnant averaged 19.1 points per game in 79 career outings for the Gamecocks, including a mark of 20.1 points per outing as a senior, and his 880 free throw attempts still rank atop the category in the Carolina record book. 

Whisnant was a fifth-round selection in the 1962 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.  He was the grandfather of 2020 Master’s Champion, and 24-time PGA event champion Dustin Johnson.  Information on funeral services is pending.