The family of former North Carolina Tar Heels star Eric Montross has disclosed that he has cancer.
The Tar Heels Twitter account posted a message from his family Saturday to share the news. The 51-year-old Montross has stayed involved with the program as the color commentator for basketball broadcasts on the Tar Heel Sports Network. He also works with the university’s fundraising Rams Club.
The message did not specify what type of cancer Montross is dealing with, or how long he’s been sick. He is being treated at the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.
“We are all touched by the responses our entire family has received since the news became public,” Montross’ family said in the release. “Your support is more than appreciated; it is welcomed as a necessary part of beating cancer one day at a time. Our family is dealing with Eric’s diagnosis head-on — the only way we know how. And we are all in this fight together.”
A health update from the family of Carolina All-America, 1993 national champion and UNC radio analyst Eric Montross. pic.twitter.com/F0CWD8Lyeh
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 25, 2023
Standing 7-feet tall, Montross was an imposing force in the middle for the Tar Heels teams of the early-1990s. He averaged 15.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for the North Carolina team that won the NCAA Tournament in 1993 by defeating Michigan and its famed “Fab Five.”
A two-time second-team consensus All-American, Montross went to the Boston Celtics with the No. 9 overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. He went on to play eight NBA seasons, averaging 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Former North Carolina stars, players with other programs and basketball fans quickly reacted to the news, wishing Montross well.
Rooting for you Eric. Despise the word cancer
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) March 26, 2023
🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Kris Johnson (@PointForwardPro) March 25, 2023
🙏 my friend
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) March 25, 2023
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Dwight Hollier (@DFin50) March 26, 2023
All the best to Eric Montross, UNC All-American and one of the finest people you will ever meet. 🙏 https://t.co/NvdSOD3Yxu
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 25, 2023
This guy was with @reeceholbrook1 and our entire family when we battled cancer and now it’s time for us to be with him! Prayers, love, and incredible support from friends and the Tar Heel family will pull him through. God Bless Eric Montross and family! pic.twitter.com/WPeMoM8ItN
— Chad Holbrook (@cholbrook2) March 26, 2023
