Former Clemson women's basketball player Quinyotta Pettaway, who later returned to her hometown to coach at her alma mater, has died at the age of 33.
Videos by FanBuzz
Clemson announced Pettaway's passing this week, calling her a valued member of the Tigers' athletics family. No cause of death was released.
A native of Hertford, North Carolina, Pettaway played for Clemson from 2010-14, appearing in 107 career games and making 57 starts. She finished with 857 points while averaging 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Pettaway remains among Clemson's career leaders with 108 blocked shots, ranking 10th in program history, while her 675 rebounds rank 11th. She also recorded 14 career double-doubles and earned ACC Academic Honor Roll recognition during the 2010-11 season.
Before arriving at Clemson, Pettaway starred at Perquimans High School, where she was a two-sport standout in basketball and volleyball and earned Four Rivers Conference Player of the Year honors.
Most recently, she returned to Perquimans as the school's head girls basketball coach, helping guide the next generation of players at the same program where her own career began.
"It was a blessing to coach her," former Perquimans coach Aaron Burke told The Daily Advance. "Quinyotta was a fighter."
Former coach Keneka Griffin remembered Pettaway as a humble, team-first player whose success never changed her approach.
"The thing that I admired about her most was she was humble," Griffin said. "She wasn't cocky and she was a team player."
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday at the Perquimans County High School gymnasium. Clemson and members of the North Carolina basketball community have shared tributes honoring Pettaway's life and legacy.
