By R.L. Bynum
Carolina basketball great Eric Montross died Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer in March, surrounded by his family — wife Laura, daughters Sarah and Megan and son Andrew — at his home in Chapel Hill.
Montross, who was only 52, played for Coach Dean Smith and the Tar Heels from 1990 to 1994, including his freshman and sophomore seasons as a teammate of Coach Hubert Davis. He was the starting center on the 1993 national championship team and a consensus All-American in 1993 and 1994.
“I am devastated,” Davis said. “Eric was my friend. He was my teammate. Eric loved being a husband. He loved being a dad. He loved being a Tar Heel, and he loved Carolina basketball. I miss him.”
In a statement, his family, which asks for privacy, thanked the medical community — particularly UNC Lineberger Cancer Center — who they said “matched his fight with equal passion.”
“To know Eric was to be his friend, and the family knows that the ripples from the generous, thoughtful way that he lived his life will continue in the lives of the many people he touched with his deep and sincere kindness,” the family statement said.
Montross’ death came 45 days after another Carolina great, Walter Davis, passed away.
In four seasons and 139 games at Carolina, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. His jersey No. 00 hands from the Smith Center rafters as an honored jersey.
Montross scored 16 points in UNC’s 77–70 victory in the NCAA championship game over Michigan in the Louisiana Superdome on April 5, 1993.
The Boston Celtics drafted him in the first round as the ninth overall pick in the 1994 draft, and he made the second team All-NBA rookie team in the first of his nine NBA seasons. He retired in August 2003 because of a foot injury.
He was the basketball analyst on the Tar Heel Sports Network for 18 seasons and was the senior major gifts director at the Rams Club.
“Carolina Athletics, the Tar Heel basketball family and the entire University community are profoundly saddened and stunned by the loss of Eric Montross, one of our most beloved former student-athletes, at far too young an age,” read a statement from Carolina Athletics. “Eric was a great player and accomplished student, but the impacts he made on our community went way beyond the basketball court. He was a man of faith, a tremendous father, husband and son, and one of the most recognizable ambassadors of the University and Chapel Hill.
“He helped the Rams Club secure scholarships for student-athletes, and as color analyst for the Tar Heel Sports Network he brought perspective, heart and humor to UNC fans near and far. Eric also became an ardent supporter of the Lineberger Center while in college and remained a leader in the fight against cancer throughout his life.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Laura, his children and entire family, and his colleagues and friends. The number of people who loved Eric and were touched by him is immeasurable.”
Photo via @UNC_Basketball
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