Former UNC basketball player, radio analyst Eric Montross dies

Former North Carolina basketball player, Tar Heel analyst and Rams Club staffer Eric Montross died Sunday at age 52.

Diagnosed with cancer in March, Montross died “surrounded by loved ones at his home in Chapel Hill,” his family said. He leaves behind his wife, Laura, and three children: Sarah, Andrew and Megan.

“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,” UNC 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.”

UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz celebrated Montross’ life and community work, as well.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend and Tar Heel legend Eric Montross. He was an incredible friend, a passionate leader and an inspiring advocate for our campus,” Guskiewicz said in a statement. “His impact extended well beyond the court with his tireless support of the UNC Children’s Hospital and his annual Father’s Day basketball camp. We have lost a great Tar Heel, and Eric will be truly missed. Please keep Laura, Sarah, Andrew and Megan in your thoughts and prayers.”

Montross worked as a radio analyst for the Tar Heel Sports Network beginning in the early 2000s. He stepped away this season due to his ongoing cancer battle.

“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,” Montross said in a video message to fans this October. “Thank you for your support of Carolina Basketball, a program we all love so much. Thank you also for supporting those we love, wherever they are, who are fighting this terrible disease.”

In addition to his radio work, he was the senior director of principal gifts for the Rams Club, which helps raise funds for student-athlete scholarships.

Montross was an Indianapolis native, where he was a 1990 McDonald’s All-American at Lawrence North High School. He played under head coach Dean Smith at UNC from 1990-’94. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he was the teammate of current Carolina head coach Hubert Davis.

Montross became the starting center as a junior in the 1992-’93 season, helping the Tar Heels win a national championship that season. He earned first team All-ACC honors and All-America honors as a junior when he averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Montross also received NCAA East Region and Final Four all-tournament recognition for his efforts in the championship run.

As a senior, when he again was named All-ACC and All-American honors, Montross averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game.

Montross was a first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics, and he went on to play nine seasons in the NBA, also including stints with the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors.

He returned to Chapel Hill after his playing career, which ended when he retired due to a foot injury on Aug. 26, 2003.

The Tar Heels previously honored Montross, hanging his jersey in the Dean Smith Center, joining the greats of Carolina basketball.

The announcement of his death has been met with messages of sympathy and remembrance on social media, transcending team affiliations and rivalries.

“Heartbroken,” ESPN broadcaster Jay Bilas, a former Duke player and assistant coach, said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “Eric Montross was the nicest, kindest person one could ever know. A great player and champion, husband, father, friend, and a truly wonderful, beautiful soul. RIP Eric Montross.”

The Montross family thanked the medical staff who cared for him, notably those at the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center. The family requested privacy during this period.