Eric Montross, a former All-American and national champion with the UNC men’s basketball team who currently serves as its radio analyst, announced on Saturday that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

According to a statement from the Montross family shared on the Carolina Basketball Twitter account, Montross, 51, is beginning treatment at UNC’s Lineberger Cancer Center.

“Our family is of course deeply concerned,” the statement read, “but we have spent nearly three decades in the fight against children’s cancer and know well the incredible advancements that are being made in oncology treatments… your support is more than appreciated.”

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.

Recently, listeners of 97.9 The Hill have been able to hear Montross on the radio with play-by-play commentator Jones Angell during broadcasts of UNC men’s basketball games. He also serves as the Senior Director of Principal Gifts for the Ram’s Club and founded the Eric Montross Father’s Day Basketball Camp, which benefits UNC Children’s Hospital.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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