Eric Montross Dies at 52; Former NBA Player Won 1993 NCAA Championship with UNC

The University of North Carolina announced Monday that former NBA center Eric Montross has died at the age of 52 after being diagnosed with cancer in March.

"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," the school said.

"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."

Montross played four years at UNC and was a key contributor on the Tar Heels' 1993 national championship team.

The Boston Celtics selected him ninth overall in the 1994 NBA draft, and he went on to spend eight seasons in the league.

Across spells with the Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors. He averaged 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 465 career appearances.

The Indiana native was named to the All-Rookie second team in 1994-95 after putting up 10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game.

For most basketball fans, Montross' time Chapel Hill will be the most memorable portion of his career.

The 7-footer averaged 15.8 points and shot 61.5 percent from the field as a junior in 1992-93. In the 77-71 win over Michigan in the title game, he finished with 16 points and five boards.

As a senior, he remained a productive presence inside (13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game) as North Carolina reeled off 28 wins.

For years afterward, Montross produced an enduring image in Tar Heels' fierce rivalry against Duke. During UNC's victory over the Blue Devils in February 1992, he was left with a small cut under his left eye after getting fouled. He stepped to the free-throw line with blood running down his cheek. The win was immortalized as the "Bloody Montross Game."

After retiring from the NBA, Montross returned to North Carolina to become a color commentator for Tar Heels games.