Tag: Eric Montross

Eric Montross inducted into NC Media and Journalism Hall of Fame

Dec. 17 was a sad day for the UNC basketball program, as Eric Montross passed away. He’s being honored with a posthumous induction.

When former UNC basketball star Eric Montross passed away on Dec. 17 last year, shockwaves swept throughout Tar Heel Nation.

Montross, a 7-foot tower on the basketball court, was an integral part of helping North Carolina capture the 1993 NCAA Championship. He went on to play eight NBA seasons with six different teams, most recently the Toronto Raptors, but never experienced the same success as in college.

After Montross retired from the NBA, he joined the Tar Heel Sports Network as a color commentator. If you watched any UNC home games, chances are you saw Montross on the sidelines.

As an honor for his talent and dedication to the broadcast booth over the years, Montross was named one of six inductees into the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame.

Montross is joined by fellow 2024 honorees in J.J. Carter, Skip Foreman, Melanie Sill, Ami Vitale and Capitol Broadcasting Co.

Montross could be seen calling games with Woody Durham and a fellow Tar Heels broadcasting legend in Jones Angell. A couple of memorable games Montroll called include UNC’s 2009 and 2017 NCAA Championships.

Even though North Carolina is in the midst of its best season since 2018-2019, there’s a big hole in Chapel Hill without Big Grits.

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Clemson shares kind gesture in honor of the late Eric Montross

UNC’s broadcast receives a kind gesture from the Clemson Tigers in honor of the late Eric Montross.

The UNC men’s basketball team traveled to South Carolina for a conference game against the Clemson Tigers.

Often in college sports, programs find ways to share their respect and love for their opponent. Clemson did just that in a heartfelt gesture by honoring the late [autotag]Eric Montross[/autotag], who sadly passed away in December.

The Tigers honored the Tar Heel legend Montross, by leaving a note at the visiting radio seat along with a vase of flowers. Play-by-play announcer Jones Angell shared a photo of his broadcast location highlighting the kind gesture.

Big Grit loss has had a significant impact on the Tar Heel community and around the sports world. It’s beautiful to see different programs find a way to honor the UNC legend, keeping his name and legacy alive.

Monstross played for UNC from 1990 to 1994, helping the Tar Heels win a National Championship in the 92-93 season.

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Eric Montross was more than just a basketball player

Growing up in Chapel Hill, I personally knew Eric Montross. He was one of the kindest people I ever met and would stop to chat with anyone.

When I heard the news of former UNC basketball great Eric Montross passing on Sunday, it hit close to home.

I never had the opportunity to see Montross play live, as his college days were before my time, but I met him at a young age and credit him for my love of basketball.

I’ve been fortunate to meet several respectful athletes over the years, but none come close to how kind Montross was in every interaction I had with him.

I don’t recall my first time meeting Montross, but he was one of the first people (besides my dad) to help cultivate my love for basketball. He came back to Chapel Hill, where we won the 1993 NCAA Championship with the Tar Heels, after his NBA career and shared his love of the game with aspiring young basketball players.

I happened to be one of those kids. I have fond memories of going to 4 C’s Basketball Camp at Smith Middle School in Chapel Hill, with one of the basketball stars I learned from being Montross. When I was a bit older, Montross coached one of my rec league basketball teams.

I didn’t realize it at the time because he was a family friend on mine, but I was learning basketball from a piece of UNC royalty. Looking back, that was probably one of the coolest experiences of my athletics upbringing.

Outside of my playing days, I became friends with Eric’s only son, Andrew. I was never in Andrew’s close friends circle, but I knew him from youth basketball.

We both went to Carrboro High School. Me being the sports fan that I am, I would always go see Andrew’s games. I actually tried out for the team one year – didn’t make it, but I recall setting screens and running sets with the younger Montross.

Even though he wasn’t my coach anymore, I would always say hello to Eric in public. I have fond memories of shaking hands with him, then having deep conversations about life and sports.

I feel so bad for Eric’s wife Laura, his daughter Sarah and Andrew – all of whom embodied that selfless, friendly spirit Eric shared.

It’ll be sad not seeing that bright smile light up Chapel Hill anymore.

Thanks for all the memories and sharing your love of basketball with me, Big E.

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LISTEN: Jones Angell pays tribute to Eric Montross on Tar Heel Sports Network

An emotional Jones Angell pays tribute to the late Eric Montross before the UNC basketball game against Oklahoma.

The UNC community received some sad news earlier in the week with the passing of former player and broadcaster Eric Montross. He passed away at age 52 due to cancer after being diagnosed in March of 2023.

Montross was an All-American at North Carolina, helping the team capture a national championship in 1993. He went on to have a nine-year career in the NBA after being selected No. 9 overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1994 NBA draft.

With North Carolina playing in the first game since Montross’ passing, Jones Angell and the Tar Heel Sports Network paid tribute to Big Grits before Wednesday’s game in Charlotte against Oklahoma. And it’s one that will give you the chills.

Angell was really close to Montross and his family after working with him for years on the broadcast. And as you listen to Angell give this opening as he chokes up, it’s hard not to choke up yourself during it.

Rest easy, Big Grits.

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Eric Montross passes away at the age of 52

Former UNC Basketball standout Eric Montross has passed away at the age of 52.

Former North Carolina Tar Heels’ basketball standout and radio broadcaster Eric Montross has sadly passed away at age 52 after a battle with cancer.

Montross’ family, (Laura, Sarah, Andrew and Megan) announced that Eric passed away on Sunday in his home in Chapel Hill as he was surrounded by loved ones. Eric was diagnosed with cancer back in March 2023.

Montross played four seasons at North Carolina from 1990-94 under Dean Smith, helping the Tar Heels capture a national championship in 1993 as the team’s starting center. He went on to be named first-team All-ACC in 1993.

After his career at North Carolina, Montross went on to be drafted in the first round of the 1994 NBA draft at No. 9 overall by the Boston Celtics. He played nine seasons in the NBA and was named to the All-Rookie second team in his first season.

Montross then went on to become a radio analyst for the Tar Heels for 18 years.

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Former Celtics big man Eric Montross dies at 52

Former Celtics big man and UNC radio analyst Eric Montross has passed away at age 52.

Former Boston Celtics big man Eric Montross has passed away at the age of 52, according to a statement made by his family via his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, on Monday morning. He was diagnosed with cancer this past March, and passed surrounding by loved ones at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

“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 statement said.

Boston selected Montross from the University of North Carolina with the No. 9 overall pick of the 1994 NBA draft. He was named to the Rookie All-Star Game in 1995 and earned All-Rookie Second Team honors that year.

Montross played his first two seasons in the league with the Celtics.

After his playing career, Montross worked as an analyst covering University of North Carolina games, while advocating for vaccine access around the world away from the court.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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UNC Tar Heel fans remember the late Eric Montross

UNC players, personnel, and fans remembering the late Montross.

The UNC community received the heartbreaking news that Tar Heel legend [autotag]Eric Montross[/autotag] 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

On this day: former Celtics Ricky Davis, Eric Montross born; drop G4 in 2020 ECF

On this day, former Boston Celtics Ricky Davis and Eric Montross were born, and the team lost Game 4 of the Disney bubble Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Miami Heat.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics shooting guard and small forward Tyree Ricardo “Ricky” Davis was born in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979. A standout at the University of Iowa, Davis was taken by the Charlotte Hornets with the 21st pick in the 1998 NBA draft.

He played with that team, the Miami Heat, and the Cleveland Cavaliers before being dealt to the Celtics with Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart, and draft assets for Tony Battie, Eric Williams, and Kedrick Brown in 2003. While the trade was initially criticized, Davis grew on the fans as a player, becoming a popular fixture.

During parts of three seasons with Boston, the Nevada native averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 0

Today’s installment focuses on the six players who wore No. 0 over the years as of September 2023.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history or interest tied to them. In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack in some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league.

To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the six players who wore No. 0 over the years as of September 2023.

On this day: Johnson born; Montross, Tillis drafted; Pinckney traded

On this day, former Boston Celtics forward Joe Johnson was born, Kevinn Pinkney traded, and Eric Montross and Darren Tillis drafted.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, Celtics draft pick Joe Johnson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1981. Johnson would play his collegiate basketball at the University of Arkansas, which he would lead to the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament championship in 2000.

The Little Rock native would be drafted by the Celtics in the 2001 NBA Draft with the 10th overall pick of the draft and would play for Boston for 48 games of his rookie season before being traded. The small forward would be dealt with Randy Brown, Milt Palacio, and draft assets to the Phoenix Suns for Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers in February of 2002, then rejoin Boston for a single game in 2022.

The former Razorback averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while with Boston.