Hoops heaven awaits ‘Gamecock Jesus’

University of South Carolina fans are trying to send the man known as “Gamecock Jesus” to basketball heaven.

A GoFundMe page was started to raise money to send Carlton Thompson, the Gamecocks superfan, to Arizona to root on his favorite team as the South Carolina men’s basketball team plays in the Final Four.

The message on the page set up by a USC student said, “Gamecocks, Send Gamecock Jesus to the Final Four. He’s always been there for us and our team, and now it’s time to give him something in return. Please donate! Go Cocks!”

The page has worked. In less than 24 hours since it was posted, 329 supporters raised $5,560 so far. That’s more than the goal of $3,500, to purchase Thompson airfare and game tickets.

Donations have been made in increments from $5 to $150, including ones in the name of Jerri Spurrier and another in the name of Ric Flair.

According to a report on WIStv.com, Thompson doesn’t know the student who set up the GoFundMe page, but is accepting the generosity. He’s made plans to go, along with his sons and a friend.

“I was in Five Points taking pictures and celebrating with everybody. And then when I got back … they said there’s a GoFundMe for you and they’re going to send you to Phoenix,” Thompson said to WIS. “I couldn’t believe it.

“I’m gonna spend it. I’m gonna use it to get us all there to help win … to help bring back the hardware,” Thompson said. “It’s not enough to go. This team will tell you it’s not enough to go. You gotta win.”

South Carolina will face Gonzaga in Phoenix on April 1, at 6:09 p.m. The Gamecocks beat their SEC rival Florida, 77-70, on Sunday at Madison Square Garden to advance to the Final Four.

“You focus in on chasing young kids around, hoping that they grow up and believe and you end up with guys like these guys right next to me, and their teammates that have the courage to come back every day and do more,” coach Frank Martin said. “I’m just out of words. Out of words.”

This story was originally published March 26, 2017 at 11:45 PM with the headline "Hoops heaven awaits ‘Gamecock Jesus’."