Eric Montross, who won an NCAA title with the UNC men’s basketball team in 1993 before serving as the team’s radio analyst, died on Sunday after a battle with cancer. 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.”

Besides being a recognizable face on the court and voice on the radio, Montross made a name for himself as a philanthropist in the UNC community. His Father’s Day Basketball Camp raises funds for UNC Children’s Hospital, where he often visited to lift the spirits of young cancer patients. Recently, the UNC men’s basketball program presented a $25,000 check to the hospital in Montross’ honor.

Montross was originally diagnosed with cancer in March of 2023. The community rallied around him in his fight, selling stickers and magnets featuring Montross’ No. 00 jersey and his nickname, “Big Grits.” The proceeds from the sales benefited the UNC Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program.

A seven-footer from Indianapolis, Montross was named a McDonald’s All-American in high school before arriving in Chapel Hill at the start of the 1990-91 basketball season. Playing for head coach Dean Smith and for two seasons alongside current head coach Hubert Davis, Montross and the Tar Heels reached two Final Fours in his four seasons. After falling in the 1991 national semifinals, Carolina returned to the Final Four in 1993 and won the program’s fourth national championship. Montross led the way down low, scoring 16 points in the championship win against Michigan while battling with the Wolverines’ Chris Webber.

The 1993 season was Montross’ best as a Tar Heel, as he averaged a career-high 15.8 points per game and shot higher than 60 percent from the field. He was named first team All-ACC and second team All-America as a junior and earned first team Academic All-America status as a senior. He was selected ninth overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and played eight NBA seasons.

“Eric was a great player and accomplished student, but the impacts he made on our community went way beyond the basketball court,” read a statement from the UNC athletic department. “He was a main of faith, a tremendous father, husband and son, and one of the most recognizable ambassadors of the University and Chapel Hill.

… The number of people who loved Eric and were touched by him is immeasurable.”

 

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
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Credentials
While Tommy Lloyd appears to be UNC’s top choice for its next men’s basketball coach, Billy Donovan isn’t exactly the worst backup option.
Chansky's Notebook: Déjà Blue
For the second straight year, a Duke-UNC game served as an omen for the end of the Blue Devils’ season in the NCAA Tournament.
A Brief History of UNC Men's Basketball Head Coaching Searches
As we near the one-week mark of the UNC men’s basketball head coaching vacancy, rumors continue to swirl about the Tar Heels’ potential targets. If leading candidates are any indication, the next head coach will not come from the “Carolina Family,” breaking a streak that began with Dean Smith. Since Smith, each UNC head coach […]
Chansky's Notebook: Tricky Timetable
Two of the prime candidates for UNC's head coaching job will be competing against each other in the Final Four Saturday night.
UNC's Caleb Wilson Declares for 2026 NBA Draft
UNC star freshman Caleb Wilson will forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2026 NBA Draft, he announced on social media Friday night. Wilson’s announcement comes less than a week after the university dismissed Hubert Davis as the head coach of the men’s basketball program. View this post on Instagram Wilson finished his freshman […]
Lloyd, May or Donovan? Pros and Cons of 3 Candidates for the UNC Men's Basketball Head Coaching Job
As UNC continues to search for its next men’s basketball head coach, three names which have been floated as prime candidates for the job are Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, Michigan head coach Dusty May and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. All three men have had ringing success on the college stage, but there […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Pool
Written by MICHAEL KOH Bubba Cunningham and UNC are confident they’ll have their pick of the litter for a new men’s basketball coach. Cunningham and incoming athletic director Steve Newmark appeared on a special edition of the “Carolina Insider Podcast” earlier this week, and both detailed the decision making which led to Hubert Davis’ exit. […]
The Best and Worst UNC Men's Basketball Games in the Hubert Davis Era
UNC head coach Hubert Davis’ time in Chapel Hill is officially over after five seasons, with the university announcing the men’s basketball program’s change of leadership on Tuesday. Davis’ tenure was defined by its high highs and low lows, and ultimately that inconsistency led to his dismissal. Here are some of the best wins and […]
Chansky's Notebook: You're a Good Man, Hubert Davis
The ugliness and awkwardness of Hubert Davis’ exit from the UNC men's basketball program should not overshadow the man he is.
UNC Parts Ways with Men's Basketball Head Coach Hubert Davis After 5 Seasons
UNC men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis will not return after five seasons in charge, the program announced Tuesday night. Carolina Athletics shared a release at 9 p.m. with the announcement, saying it was parting ways with Davis after several days of discussions and review of his time leading the program. “We appreciate all that […]
›