Eric Montross, former UNC star and ex-NBAer, dead at 52

Eric Montross, a former North Carolina basketball star who helped lead the Tar Heels to a national championship in 1993 and played eight seasons in the NBA, died Sunday after a battle with cancer, his family announced. He was 52.

Montross, who was a color commentator on the Tar Heels’ radio broadcasts, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in March. He had been undergoing treatment at the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.

“To know Eric was to be his friend, 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 school said in a statement.

The 7-foot Montross was the starting center for North Carolina’s national championship team in ’93, when he earned first-team All-ACC honors.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend and Tar Heel legend Eric Montross,” North Carolina chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said in a statement. “He was an incredible friend, a passionate leader and an inspiring advocate for our campus.”

Montross was the No. 9 overall pick by the Celtics in the 1994 NBA Draft and spent two seasons with Boston before he was traded to the Mavericks.

Dallas then traded Montross to the Nets in February of 1997, and he played 31 games for the Nets before he was again traded to the 76ers.

Montross was dealt from Philadelphia to the Pistons in December 1997 and finally found a home for a couple of seasons, ultimately being traded to the Raptors in February 2001.

The Indianapolis native, who averaged 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 465 NBA career games, missed the entire 2002-03 season with a foot injury that forced him into retirement.

Montross is survived by wife Laura, daughters Sarah and Megan and son Andrew.