Art Whisnant, a former male basketball player at the University of South Carolina, passed away, aged 81. The great Gamecock was a three-time All-ACC selection during his career at Garnet and Black from 1959-62, and he was selected for the Athletic Hall of Fame at the University of South Carolina in 2001 and for the State of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
Whisnant was a highlight for Gamecocks during their 1959-62 career. The Icard, NC native scored 1,505 career points, which ranks 11th in Carolina history, and his 723 career rebounds are out of the top 10. Whisnant received praise from the second All-ACC team in 1960 and 1961, and was selected for the First Team as a senior in 1962. Whisnant averaged 19.1 points per game in 79 career outlets for Gamecocks, including a mark of 20.1 points per exit as a senior, and his 880 bid attempts free are still at the top of the category in Carolina’s record book.
Whisnant was a fifth-round selection in the 1962 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the grandfather of the 2020 Master Champion and 24-time champion of the PGA event, Dustin Johnson. Information on funeral services is pending.