His family and UNC announced Montross’ death, saying he died on Sunday at his home in Chapel Hill surrounded by loved ones just months after being diagnosed with cancer, The Associated Press reported.
With heavy hearts we bring you this update from the family of Eric Montross.
Montross, who was 7-feet tall, played for the Tar Heels from 1990 to 1994 and was a two-time AP second-team All-American. He was starting center on the 1993 championship team and was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round the next year, UNC and ESPN said.
His most memorable game was against Duke in February 1992 when he made free throws as blood trailed down his face, The Washington Post reported. UNC beat Duke 75-73.
His NBA career lasted until 2002, playing for six teams, the newspaper reported. He left the game after he suffered foot injuries.
Montross transitioned from the court to the broadcast booth, serving as the analyst on the Tar Heel Sports Network until he stepped down this year.
Dick Vitale remembered Montross on social media saying “CANCER is so VICIOUS -just took away one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my basketball journey with @espn.”
CANCER is so VICIOUS -just took away one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my basketball journey with @espn Only 52 years old & a TERRIFIC person ex @UNC_Basketball star ERIC MONTROSS - pls God May he RIP! Absolutely heartbreaking! @UNCKirschner
Montross is survived by his wife and three children, the Post reported.
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Through the years University of North Carolina center Eric Montross. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/ALLSPORT (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Through the years 9 Feb 1993: Center Eric Montross of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots the ball during a game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Through the years CHICAGO - DECEMBER 3: Eric Montross of the Boston Celtics goes up to grab a rebound over Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls during the Celtics' 125-109 win at the United Center on Dec. 3, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Through the years 30 Mar 1995: Center Eric Montross of the Boston Celetics waits at the free-throw line during the Celtics 100-82 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinios. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Through the years 2 Mar 1996: Center Eric Montrose of the Boston Celtics jams the ball down the basket as center Luc Longley of the Chicago Bulls watches in the first quarter of their game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 107-75. Mandatory Cre (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Through the years 23 Nov 1996: Guard Tony Massenburg of the New Jersey Nets lays up the ball as center Eric Montross of the Dallas Mavericks watches during a game at Continential Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won the game 114-95. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Through the years 23 Nov 1996: Center Shawn Bradley of the New Jersey Nets looks to shoot the ball as Dallas Mavericks center Eric Montross covers him during a game at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won the game, 114-95. Mandatory (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Through the years 3 Mar 1997: Guard Eddie Jones of the Los Angeles Lakers fights for the ball with forward Eric Montross of the New Jersey Nets during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game 115 - 105. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years 9 Mar 1997: Center Eric Montross of the New Jersey Nets passes the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game 115-105. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years 9 Mar 1997: Center Eric Montross of the New Jersey Nets sits on the bench during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game 115-105. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years 11 Apr 1997: Forward Calbert Chaney of the Washington Bullets grabs the ball as center Eric Montross of the New Jersey Nets watches at the US Air Arena in Landover, Maryland. The Bullets won the game 109-90. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Through the years 16 Feb 1999: Eric Montross #00 of the Detroit Pistons shooting the ball during the game against the New Jersey Nets at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets defeated the Pistons 97-82. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Through the years 10 Mar 1999: Eric Montross #00 of the Detroit Pistons looking on during the game against the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Wizards defeated the Pistons 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Through the years 31 Oct 2000: Eric Montross #00 of the Detroit Pistons looks on the court in warm-ups before the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Canada. The Pistons defeated the Raptors 104-95. (Robert Skeoch/Getty Images)
Through the years 06 Apr 2001: John Amaechi #13 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball over Eric Montross #00 of the Toronto Raptors at the T.D. Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Through the years CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Chancellor Carol Folt, former walk-on Billy Bell, Erskine Bowles, former player Eric Montross, coach Roy Williams and former player Antawn Jamison participate in a memorial service for former North Carolina Tar Heels basketball coach Dean Smith at the Dean Smith Center on February 22, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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