Tar Heel legend Eric Montross dies at 52 after cancer diagnosis
Posted December 18, 2023 9:17 a.m. EST
Updated December 19, 2023 5:27 p.m. EST
Former North Carolina basketball player and Tar Heel Sports Network analyst Eric Montross died on Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, his family announced on Monday morning. He was 52 years old.
"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," Carolina Athletics said in a statement. "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."
A memorial honoring Montross was displayed on the big screen outside the Woody Durham Media and Communications Center on Monday.
UNC coach Hubert Davis, who played at UNC with Montross in the early 90s, was crushed to hear the news.
“I am devastated. 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,” Davis said.
A fixture around Chapel Hill well after his playing days, Montross was described by UNC basketball writer and author Art Chansky as one of "top 10 nicest people" he's ever met.
"We were all hoping and praying that he would pull through, and this morning when I found out I was stunned and I’m sure I’m joined by millions of Carolina fans and alumni," Chansky said.
Montross played under head coach Dean Smith from 1990 to 1994 and was Davis' teammate during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Montross started at center in 1993 during the Tar Heels NCAA Championship season, averaging 15.8 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game.
In 1993, Montross was named first team All-ACC as well as Final Four all-tournament honors.
The sight of blood running down Montross' check after taking an elbow to the eye in the 1992 Duke-UNC game in Chapel Hill became one of the rivalry's lasting images. Montross had to temporarily leave the game to get medical care. He would return to action as the Tar Heels defeated a loaded Duke team featuring Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill and Christian Laettner 75-73 in a memorable battle.
A former first-round draft pick, Montross played nine seasons in the NBA. He worked as the analyst for the Tar Heel Sports Network for 18 seasons, stepping away for this year.
In a statement, Montross' family said they were "grateful for the tremendous support and the truly overwhelming love expressed by so many people as he battled with his signature determination and grace."
"We extend our deepest condolences to Laura, his children and entire family, and his colleagues and friends," Carolina Athletics said. "The number of people who loved Eric and were touched by him is immeasurable."
Montross earned the nickname "Big Grits" in his analyst days after ordering a large bowl of grits at a restaurant in Memphis, leading an employee to give him the moniker and adding to his endeared status among fans.
"It’s a shock, because not many people outside the family knew Eric’s health status," said senior associate athletic director for the UNC men's basketball program Steve Kirschner. "He was the center. He was the foundation of that team. He was a big man, but he could score. He could rebound. He could block shots."
Just two months ago, Montross shared a message of resilience with Carolina basketball fans. He did not work with the Tar Heel Sports Network this season to focus on his battle with cancer.
"I am fighting and will continue to fight every day," Montross said at the time.
That fight ended Sunday, surrounded by his family in their Chapel Hill home.
Kirschner says Montross will be remembered in the college town for his work in the community, including his support for the UNC cancer center that treated him through his fight.
"It was really important to him that he be thought of far beyond what he did on the court, and I think that’s the legacy that will endure for Eric and his family for a long time," Kirschner said.
Montross grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and was a McDonald's All-American at Lawrence North High School before joining UNC. He played professionally for several NBA teams after being a top-10 draft pick in 1994.
