‘He loved being a Tar Heel’: Friends, teammates remember late UNC basketball great Eric Montross who died at 52

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP/WNCN) — A shocking and sad day for the UNC-Chapel Hill community and beyond as news came on Monday of the death of basketball legend Eric Montross. He was 52.

He played at the university from 1990 to 1994 and was the starting center when the team won the NCAA championship in 1993.

“He’s in the top 10 in scoring, he’s in the top groups in rebounding and blocked shots, and he was a winner,” Steve Kirschner, Director of Communications for the UNC Chapel Hill Men’s Basketball Team, said of Montross. “He was a two-time second team All America, he made the Wooden All America Team, made the ACC All America Team.”

Montross has made his mark on his entire community when he played for the Tar Heels, helping the team to a 1993 championship and being a source of leadership for other players. His jersey hangs now in the university’s basketball museum, but his legacy stretches far off the basketball court.

“Really what he meant to the community, his church, his family, really dwarfs the accomplishments, even though they were great accomplishments… Eric the man really dwarfed Eric the basketball player,” Kirschner said.

Those who knew him best call it a cruel irony that Montross passed of cancer after spending half of his life helping others battling the disease, starting in the 90s when he befriended a pediatric cancer patient named Jason Clark.

“He said everyone thinks I’m a hero because I’m tall, I can dunk, I play for the Tar Heels, but a hero is someone like Jason Clark, who’s fighting cancer the way and with the courage he does,” Kirschner said.

University officials don’t have plans just yet on how they’ll honor Montross, but they say without a doubt that they will.

“It’s hard in a way, it’s sad, but it’s easy to want to honor him and his legacy and remind people what he stood for… not just the basketball part, but Eric the person,” Kirschner said.

The school released the family’s announcement Monday morning, saying Montross died Sunday surrounded by loved ones at his Chapel Hill home. He had been diagnosed with cancer in March, leading to him stepping away from his duties as a radio analyst for UNC game broadcasts.

“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 announcement said.

He was a two-time Associated Press second-team All-American. He started on Smith’s second NCAA championship team in 1993 before being the No. 9 overall pick by the Boston Celtics a year later and playing in the NBA until 2002.

“I am devastated. Eric was my friend. He was my teammate. Eric loved being a husband. He loved being a dad. He loved being a Tar Heel and he loved Carolina basketball. I miss him,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said.

In addition to his broadcast duties, he worked as senior major gifts director at the Rams Club, the fundraising arm of UNC’s athletics department. He was also known for charitable efforts, such as helping launch a father-child basketball camp for Father’s Day weekend to support the UNC Children’s Hospital.

“Eric was a great player and accomplished student, but the impacts he made on our community went way beyond the basketball court,” the school said in its own statement. “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.”

The family announced Montross’ illness when he was diagnosed, but didn’t specify the nature of the cancer.

Carolina Athletics released the following statement:

UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz released the following statement about Montross’ death:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.