FAYETTEVILLE- Arkansas Razorbacks basketball legend, Charles Balentine, has passed away at age 60.
The Razorbacks great is perhaps best known for having hit the game-winning shot against Michael Jordan and the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in 1984. The game was played at the Pine Bluff Convention Center and was televised on national TV. Balentine hit a five-foot jumper with four seconds remaining in the game.
According to “The Oklahoman” publication, the Razorbacks had played in Dallas against SMU the day before the North Carolina game. Due to stormy weather in Arkansas that day, coach Eddie Sutton and the Razorbacks decided to stay in Dallas one more night before traveling to Pine Bluff the next day for a neutral site, non-conference game with North Carolina. The team traveled to Pine Bluff on the morning of the North Carolina game, flying in shaky weather. According to teammate Joe Klein, some of the Arkansas players got sick on the flight.
Balentine starred at Newport High School where he was recruited by legendary coach Eddie Sutton. After a tremendous career at Arkansas, Balentine was drafted in the sixth round of the NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. He is enshrined in both the Newport High School Alumni Hall of Fame and the UA Sports Hall of Honor.
Charles Balentine will be missed, and to the many who followed him, he has left us all too soon. Perhaps teammate Joe Klein said it best on Twitter by saying, “I don’t know what to say, I can’t believe he is gone. What a good guy, teammate, and friend. I am going to miss him! God speed, and WPS Charles!”
