UNC Tar Heel fans remember the late Eric Montross
The UNC community received the heartbreaking news that Tar Heel legend Eric Montross passed away from cancer on Sunday at age 52, per the University.
The stunning news was felt throughout the Tar Heel community, with UNC players, personnel, and fans remembering the late Montross.
Montross starred at North Carolina from 1990 to 1994, winning a national championship at the end of the 92-93 season. During his tenure as a Tar Heel, Montross averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. Known as the Big Grits, Montross’s UNC career led to being selected 9th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1994 draft.
Montross nearly averaged a double-double his rookie season, averaging 10 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. After spending eight seasons in the NBA, Montross would eventually return to UNC, breaking down the game to UNC fans nationwide as a radio color analyst for UNC basketball.
UNC fans remember the late Eric Montross with fond memories
Our family will be forever thankful for the long, warm friendship of Eric Montross & #HeyWoody. Eric’s kindness toward my Dad in the late years of his career and beyond meant so much. 🙏🏻 to Laura and their family, but all we will miss this special, gentle man. pic.twitter.com/FjOHw5LZwm
— 𝐖𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐦 (@WesDurham) December 18, 2023
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend and Tar Heel legend Eric Montross. pic.twitter.com/myjyKeVmFG
— Kevin Guskiewicz (@KevinGuskiewicz) December 18, 2023
Heartbroken. 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. https://t.co/fUhw41rQpp
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) December 18, 2023
The North Carolina family is hurting, as we lost a great one today. Thank you for being a Tar Heel, Eric Montross.
Sending love and light to all.
— Tar Heels of NYC (@TarHeelsofNYC) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross is legendary to me because of the Duke game in 92’. He was going against Laettner, and Duke hadn’t lost that season. Hyped, physical game, EM took a tooth to the head, got 6 stitches & a gash under the eye(from a bow) but stayed in and HOOPED. pic.twitter.com/MubGODpwDc
— KJ (@PointForwardPro) December 18, 2023
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
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 18, 2023
A decade ago a friend and I recognized Eric Montross during a visit to Chapel Hill. He kindly posed for pictures and shared a few words.
We never watched him live but played the 1993 title on DVD during the car ride up. He made our day.
RIP to a UNC legend & genuine good guy. pic.twitter.com/6cu3vGCx9q
— Grant Hughes (@GrantHughesNC) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was known for being such a nice guy. I never met him, but got a chance to see his heart in this video. He sent it to our friend DJ McLeod when he graduated from high school while battling cancer himself. R.I.P. Eric Montross ♥️ pic.twitter.com/4kryu3rLsA
— Jake Eichstaedt (@Jake25Eich) December 18, 2023
So very sad to hear of the loss of Eric Montross whose contributions to the UNC community and our state went far beyond his championship basketball skills. Our deepest condolences go out to all family, friends and Tar Heels. The Big E made a big difference in this world. – RC https://t.co/LF4rZhoKsV
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) December 18, 2023
RIP Eric Montross pic.twitter.com/zEBI1sCuc5
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) December 18, 2023
R.I.P. Eric Montross. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/4oBumoi5wj
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) December 18, 2023
So sad to hear about Eric Montross. One of the kindest people I’ve ever been around. Loved his sneaky, dry humor as well. My heart aches for his beautiful family.
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) December 18, 2023
RIH ERIC MONTROSS. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Nick Van Exel (@vanexel31) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was one of the nicest people I've encountered in this business. Always happy to talk. Always insightful about college basketball and his beloved Tar Heels.
Before all of that, he was a great @MarchMadnessMBB champion.
Gone at 52 from cancer is just awful news. RIP.— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) December 18, 2023
Saddened to hear the news of Eric Montross. As good an athlete he was 10x better the person. Made you feel like best friends even in brief conversations with him. May God bless his friends and family in this difficult time. 🙏🙏
— Chris_Corchiani (@Chris_Corchiani) December 18, 2023
I 1st met Eric Montross in 1990, he couldn't have been nicer. I saw him again when I took this picture of him and my son a couple of years ago at the Final Four, again, couldn't have been nicer. Cancer is the absolute worst, and it's taken another good one. Here's to you, Eric! pic.twitter.com/XMM7N1Wckp
— Jon Sasser (@jsasser42) December 18, 2023
And we just lost Eric Montross. A tremendous person and player. Some of my most memorable HS games were against him at Hinkle Fieldhouse. And I had the pleasure of playing AAU with him. A kind soul. Praying for his family.
— Alan Henderson (@44AlanHenderson) December 18, 2023
Always greeted #EricMontross with “Hey Little Fella!!” And he would return with “What’s up Big Guy?” even though he was a full foot taller than me… It was our thing 😔… A Giant with an even bigger heart, gone too soon. Praying for his family and the @UNC_Basketball Family 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Cory Alexander (@CoryAlexanderVA) December 18, 2023
Eric Montross was one of the kindest, most genuine people you could ever know. My heart aches for his family. Some people were put on this earth to help make other’s lives better. That was Eric. #RIP
— Adam Gold (@AGoldFan) December 18, 2023
There are phenomenal people & then there was Eric Montross. It is not often that you get to meet one of your heroes and they end up being better than what you could ever expect. I was 13 when that happened & Eric has been a friend ever since. pic.twitter.com/F3Rv9MCV3C
— Matt Martucci (@ToochPXP) December 18, 2023
Deepest condolences to the Montross family & @UNC_Basketball Eric was a guest on our show, an excellent human being & ambassador for all the right things. It was our honor to have met him. May God bless his family during this unspeakable loss. RIP.@LinkJeffery @DavidGlennShow pic.twitter.com/LzvOJwVphk
— David Jones (@ScoreboardRadio) December 18, 2023
I first met Eric Montross as summer sports editor at @dthsports and writing on his Father's Day hoops camp in '96. I was so nervous, but he was very patient and made it easy. Went back as @fayobserver sports intern in '97 too. Fond memories… pic.twitter.com/GUs2meVdXM
— Aaron Beard (@aaronbeardap) December 18, 2023
Heartbreaking to hear that the Tar Heel family has lost one of our own.
I remember the one time I met Eric Montross, and how he took the time to talk with me, just a wide-eyed kid. He was nothing but gracious and kind.
Prayers to his family and friends. Rest easy, Big Grits.
— Andrew Forrest (@Andrew_Forrest1) December 18, 2023
— Sean May (@BigMay42) December 18, 2023
The Eric Montross news hits hard…he was young…always wanted to play like him growing up 😥
— BrianUNC (@BrianUNC) December 18, 2023
I’ve been a UNC fan since birth. The 1992-1993 team was my team. It was my senior year of high school and in just a few short months I’d be starting my freshman yr @ UNC. My heart hurts for the loss of Eric Montross. Cancer is the absolute worst! See ya later, Big Grits. 💔💔
— Amy Can’t Cook (@amynoelle24) December 18, 2023
Sometimes there aren’t words …. https://t.co/L6CmL5RDUX
— Lymarie Jackson (@lymariepj) December 18, 2023
This is tough…….RIP….National Champion and an amazing ambassador for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill! https://t.co/SZsNU4K2xs
— My Name is Mario & I am a Tar Heel (@Briccyardlilyo) December 18, 2023
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of former Sixer Eric Montross. Rest in peace. 💙❤️ https://t.co/nNh08tqMXC
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 18, 2023
Terrible news. Eric was a gem of a human. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. @UNC_Basketball @theACC @MarchMadnessMBB legend. https://t.co/af6XEx7UqG
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) December 18, 2023
Sad day to be a Tar Heel 😢
Praying for the Montross family. Rest in peace Eric🩵 https://t.co/ajUBtF5a4c
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) December 18, 2023
Rest easy big fella! You will truly be missed! 🥺🙏🏽🩵 https://t.co/ZZfynIIeu5
— Brice Johnson (@bjohnson_23) December 18, 2023
Heartbroken to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers to the Montross family.
Rest in Peace Eric. https://t.co/9utwaganuv
— Scott Forbes (@CoachForbes_UNC) December 18, 2023
This news really hurts! RIP Big Fella! Love you my center‼️💙💙👣😪😪 https://t.co/4xEuxx4xd1
— DPhelps (@Dphelps05) December 18, 2023
Our community has lost a legend, a person who was one of the kindest and most genuine you will ever meet.
Prayers with the Montross family. https://t.co/AekZnwGIiK
— Matt Krause (@MattKrausePxP) December 18, 2023
