SPRINGDALE — Former Newport and University of Arkansas basketball player Charles Balentine,
of Springdale, Ark., who hit one of the biggest shots in Razorback hoops history, died on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in Texarkana at the age of 60.
Balentine’s four-foot jump shot with five seconds left provided the game-winning points in Arkansas’ 65-64 win over No. 1 North Carolina at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Feb. 12, 1984.
That day become known as Balentine’s Day in Arkansas lore and honored the shot the Newport native made that took down the top-ranked Tar Heels and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
He was preceded in death by his father, Nathaniel Balentine, Sr., his brother Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel “Nate” Balentine, Jr., his sister Mary Balentine Yancey, and brother-in-law, Paul Edwards and leaves behind his wife Marie, their daughter Jamie Alexander and grandchild Avery Alexander, his kids Bree and James Balentine, his mother, Francella (White) Balentine; his sisters Joyce (Balentine) Edwards, Doris Balentine, De’Lisa Balentine and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Balentine, drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 1985 NBA Draft, was inducted into the Newport Alumni Hall of Honor in 2009, the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor in 2013 and served on the Razorback Foundation’s Board of Directors from 20122018.
He played for head coach Eddie Sutton in 104 games for the Razorbacks from the 198182 season through the 1984-85 season. He averaged 7.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
As a senior, Balentine had his best season while averaging 12.7 points and 5.6 rebounds.
The Razorbacks won two Southwest Conference championships and twice advanced to the Sweet 16 during Balentine’s time at Arkansas.
Those teams featured future NBA players Darrell Walker, Joe Kleine, Scott Hastings, Alvin Robertson and Tony Brown.
After his playing career, Balentine worked for Wal Mart for just under 20 years as a District Manager and International Regional Personal Manager.
Balentine was Regional Manager for Pilot Flying J from 2006-2012 before moving into a position as District Manager of Academy Sports and Outdoors from 2013-2018.
Balentine had been working as Senior District Manager/Head of Retail Operations for Coulson Oil’s Road Runner convenience stores from 2019 to the time of his passing.
He also joined with Jerry Armstrong, a member of the 1965-66 Texas Western National Championship that was featured in the movie Glory Road, and former Razorback teammates to put on basketball camps in the United States, Indonesia, China and other countries.
Balentine had also done numerous speaking engagements focusing on the importance of education when a player’s career ends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 12th at 1 p.m. at Mount Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville with arrangements under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., August 12 at Mount Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville. Burial will be private.
A memorial service for Balentine, who was born Feb. 28, 1963, will be held in his hometown of Newport at a later time to be determined.
To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.