UNC Tar Heel legend and former NBA first-round draft pick Eric Montross died Sunday after a nine-month battle with cancer.
Montross was diagnosed with the disease in March, and it was announced in October that he would not be part of the team’s radio broadcasts. Montross played nine seasons in the NBA where he was named to the league’s All-Rookie team as a member of the Boston Celtics. In addition to the Celtics, Montross was a member of the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors.
After his playing days, Montross spent 18 seasons as the radio color analyst on the school’s basketball broadcasts. Additionally, he worked nationally for Westwood One in the same capacity.
He is survived by his wife, Laura, and children Sarah, Andrew, and Megan. Eric Montross was 52.
Many in sports media took time Monday morning to remember and honor Montross, with several calling the 7-foot star a “gentle giant”.
CANCER is so VICIOUS -just took away one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my basketball journey with @espn Only 52 years old & a TERRIFIC person ex @UNC_Basketball star ERIC MONTROSS – pls God May he RIP! Absolutely heartbreaking! @UNCKirschner
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 18, 2023
This is awful news. I had a chance to get to know Eric Montross over the years and he was the nicest, most unassuming person you would ever meet. Just a terrific guy who always had time for anyone and everyone. This is heartbreaking to hear. https://t.co/ODOhUrTtmq
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 18, 2023
Heartbroken. Eric Montross was the nicest, kindest person one could ever know. A great player and champion, husband, father, friend, and a truly wonderful, beautiful soul. RIP Eric Montross. https://t.co/fUhw41rQpp
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) December 18, 2023
Our community has lost a legend, a person who was one of the kindest and most genuine you will ever meet.
— Matt Krause (@MattKrausePxP) December 18, 2023
Prayers with the Montross family. https://t.co/AekZnwGIiK
Eric was one of the kindest and competitive humans on the planet. He was just a great human being. Prayers for the family. https://t.co/uYwRECBbql
— Don Munson (@WDonaldMunson) December 18, 2023
Prayers go out to the Montross Family and Tar Heel Nation.
— Mark Packer (@MarkPacker) December 18, 2023
Eric was a wonderful person, and he will be missed.
RIP. ???????? https://t.co/d3Ec7nFSXt
Our family will be forever thankful for the long, warm friendship of Eric Montross & #HeyWoody. Eric’s kindness toward my Dad in the late years of his career and beyond meant so much. ???????? to Laura and their family, but all we will miss this special, gentle man. pic.twitter.com/FjOHw5LZwm
— ???????????? ???????????????????????? (@WesDurham) December 18, 2023
Terrible news. Eric was a gem of a human. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. @UNC_Basketball @theACC @MarchMadnessMBB legend. https://t.co/af6XEx7UqG
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) December 18, 2023
This is really sad. What a nice guy. I remember talking to Eric when Belmont played at UNC in 2013, one of the friendliest people I’ve met in basketball. All the best to his family and friends. https://t.co/6tVR0irT5g
— Kevin Ingram (@KIngramSports) December 18, 2023
That Tar Heels team – and specifically Eric Montross – some of my earliest core memories of college hoops. Double zero, the haircut, all of it burned into my brain forever. RIP to a legend! https://t.co/rQKtH21VPF
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) December 18, 2023
oh man come on https://t.co/T1W4HXRq4G
— Ken LaVicka (@KLVsays) December 18, 2023
A gentle giant
— Debbie Antonelli (@debbieantonelli) December 18, 2023
A first class person, father, ambassador for the game
Tremendous sadness for his family and the UNC basketball community
RIP Big E https://t.co/0FpEF0MOhi
No, no, no, no. Eric was such a good man. Passionate about the Tar Heels and college hoops in general. A fantastic color commentator on radio as well. Big loss for the community. https://t.co/nRM9LD5TFp
— Timmy Hall???? (@TimHall971) December 18, 2023
Prayers with the Montross family and everyone at UNC. https://t.co/y0ziEwdWno
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 18, 2023
Absolutely devastating news out of #UNC this morning.
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) December 18, 2023
Montross, besides being an all-time college basketball great, was one of the nicest people you could know. Always made time for autographs, interviews, anything anyone needed. Sending love and prayers to his family. https://t.co/gNv3Ti0vbH
Sad News. I didn't know him well, but Eric Montross was a freshman when I was a senior at Park Tudor in Indy (he transferred to Lawrence North, where he led the team to a state title). I always was impressed in his development as a player from his early high school days. RIP. https://t.co/umR7yqsv5a
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 18, 2023
Terrible news. Tar Heels legend, was a major force on the title-winning '93 team, became a top-10 pick, and beloved Tar Heel. https://t.co/hHyn3vset1
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 18, 2023
Such devastating news. A gentle giant. As nice a person as you could ever meet. Deepest condolences to his family. https://t.co/h56zthgrW4
— Dan Shulman (@DShulman_ESPN) December 18, 2023
Eric was a lot of really good things. More than anything, he was a good human being. I am a better person having known and had the good fortune of interacting with him. #RIPBigE https://t.co/f02zIiG8jC
— Stan Cotten (@StanCottenWF) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was a terrific player and a gentle giant. Stayed around the program as a broadcaster and ambassador. I will miss our bro hugs at the Dean Dome and the Final Four. Prayers to his family. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/wZjlcylT23
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) December 18, 2023
Former North Carolina star Eric Montross has passed away at 52 due to cancer, per release. Gutwrenching news. Prayers to his family.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 18, 2023
Every day is indeed a gift.
Just devastating news: @UNC_Basketball Eric Montross has died. Just 52. Diagnosed with cancer just nine months ago. Gutting
— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) December 18, 2023
RIP Eric Montross
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was one of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever know. My heart aches for his family. Some people were put on this earth to help make other’s lives better. That was Eric. #RIP
— Adam Gold (@AGoldFan) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was a terrific player but as good as he was he was an even better person. Every interaction I had with him I’d walk way thinking he was genuine, sincere, smart and kind. My thoughts go out to his family and the @UNC_Basketball family https://t.co/KwkAr9C9AB
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) December 18, 2023
RIP Eric Montross. We have had him on the show for the past 20 years talking Heels and he couldn't have been a kinder soul. My love goes out to his family, the UNC family and all of college basketball. He was a giant in so many ways.
— Travis Hancock (@TBoneWFNZ) December 18, 2023
RIP Eric Montross great Tar Heel and better person
— Howie Schwab (@howieschwab) December 18, 2023
