To reflect on the year, Chapelboro.com is re-publishing some of the top stories that impacted and defined our community’s experience in 2023. These stories and topics affected Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the rest of our region.

UNC men’s basketball alumnus Eric Montross was notable around the Chapel Hill community not just for his stature – he stood at seven feet tall – but also for his kind heart. His fight against cancer this year led the community to rally around him and celebrate his contributions to Chapel Hill. When Montross died in December, it was a shock to all.

Eric Montross was known for many things. To some, he was the seven-foot standout who led the Carolina men’s basketball team to the 1993 NCAA title. To others, he was the radio analyst for the current batch of Tar Heels. And to still more, he was a benefactor of UNC Children’s Hospital through his annual Father’s Day Basketball Camp.

So when, in March, the Montross family announced Eric had been diagnosed with cancer, the news touched everyone in the community.

Montross immediately began treatment at UNC’s Lineberger Cancer Center.

“Our family is dealing with Eric’s diagnosis head-on – the only way we know how,” the Montross family’s statement read. “And we are all in this fight together.”

Support for Montross came pouring in from around the country. UNC football head coach Mack Brown, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and Basketball Hall of Famer George Karl (a Carolina alumnus) each offered messages to Montross. Jones Angell, Montross’ partner on the Tar Heel Sports Network, said Montross is “a million times better person than he was a basketball player, and he was an incredible basketball player.”

Even rivals such as Duke alumnus Jay Bilas expressed support for Montross. Bilas called Montross “one of the finest people you will ever meet.”

Throughout the summer, the UNC athletic department sold stickers and magnets with Montross’ No. 00 jersey and his nickname, “Big Grits.” Proceeds from the sales benefit the UNC Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program.

At the basketball program’s annual “Live Action” preseason celebration in October, Montross addressed the Smith Center crowd with a pre-recorded video message, in what would be his final public appearance.

“The outpouring of support from our Tar Heel family during this journey has been humbling. Thank you,” Montross said. “I am fighting and will continue to fight every day… Know that even if you don’t see me – and I know I’m hard to miss – I will be cheering on our Tar Heels during every single game.”

To honor Montross, the men’s basketball team presented a $25,000 check to UNC Children’s Hospital.

To fill in for Montross on the radio, several other Tar Heels have stepped into his analyst role on radio broadcasts. Former stars such Joel Berry, Marcus Ginyard, Tyler Zeller and Pete Chilcutt can each be heard on the Tar Heel Sports Network with Angell.

Montross died at his Chapel Hill home on December 17, surrounded by his family. He was 52 years old.

“To know Eric was to be his friend,” read a statement from the Montross family, “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 news led to yet another outpouring of support, grief and memories of the Tar Heel great. To read some highlights from the UNC and basketball community, click here.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Top Stories of 2023: UNC Men's Basketball Makes the Wrong Kind of History
The Tar Heels were seen as a championship favorite, and the AP ranked them No. 1 in its preseason poll. Then it all went wrong.
UNC Basketball Programs Hosting Inaugural Dribble for Victory Over Cancer
The UNC men’s and women’s basketball programs are teaming up with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the V Foundation for Cancer Research to host the first-ever Dribble for Victory Over Cancer on the UNC campus. The event will raise funds for pediatric cancer research, and is set to be held on August 28 at […]
Check out the Full Schedule for UNC's ACC Network Takeover
The ACC Network will air a full day of UNC games from the 2025-26 academic year Wednesday, July 1. It’s part of a series of ACC Network Takeovers, which started June 24 and include all 18 member schools. UNC’s takeover includes wall-to-wall coverage from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The broadcast day gets underway with […]
UNC Men's Basketball to Face Illinois in Nashville Hoops Showdown in January
UNC is adding another high-level non-conference matchup to its 2026-27 schedule. The Tar Heels will face Illinois in the Nashville Hoops Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 30. The matchup has been confirmed by both programs and by Bridgestone Arena, which will host the game. Tar Heels 🆚 Fighting Illini in Nashville pic.twitter.com/UuhExCctMB — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) […]
UNC's Henri Veesaar Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers, Traded to Atlanta Hawks
Henri Veesaar is league-bound. The seven-foot center, who spent the 2025-26 season with UNC after committing to the Tar Heels out of the transfer portal, was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 52 overall pick in the NBA Draft, who then traded that pick to the Atlanta Hawks. Veesaar spent the first […]
UNC's Caleb Wilson Selected by Chicago Bulls with No. 4 Overall Pick in 2026 NBA Draft
Caleb Wilson is headed to the Windy City. The Chicago Bulls selected the star UNC freshman forward with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of Tuesday’s NBA Draft. Wilson is the highest-picked Tar Heel in the NBA Draft since Marvin Williams went No. 2 overall to the Atlanta Hawks in 2005. Carolina […]
UNC Men's Basketball to Host Arkansas, Women to Host LSU in 2026 ACC-SEC Challenge
The matchups have been set for both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball programs in the upcoming ACC-SEC Challenge: the men will host Arkansas on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Smith Center, while the women will host LSU on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Carmichael Arena. ACC/SEC challenge is set 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/AWzBSN1Cbv — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) […]
Greek Prospect Alexandros Samodurov Commits to UNC Men's Basketball
Another international prospect is making his way to Chapel Hill. Alexandros Samodurov, who has played professionally in Greece since 2022, announced his commitment to head coach Michael Malone and UNC Saturday. Samodurov, a 6-foot-11 forward, has played his entire professional career with the Greek club Panathinaikos. The club has seen sustained success during his time […]
ACC Opponents Set for 2026-27 UNC Men's Basketball Season
The UNC men’s basketball program revealed its ACC opponents for the 2026-27 season. It will be the second since the league shifted from a 20-game schedule to an 18-game schedule. Like in 2025-26, the Tar Heels will play two opponents twice, 14 opponents once and not play one other league school at all during the […]
Matt Able Withdraws From NBA Draft, Will Play for UNC Men's Basketball Next Season
Matt Able, who committed to UNC out of the transfer portal in April after playing his freshman season at NC State but also went through the NBA Draft Combine process, withdrew his name from the draft Monday. Able has already signed with the Tar Heels, meaning he is locked in to playing for the program […]
›