Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Kevin Sweeney

Jay Bilas, College Basketball World Pay Tributes to Eric Montross After He Dies at 52

Eric Montross Jay Bilas Basketball Tar Heels North Carolina (Organization) the Tar Heels UNC Michigan (Organization) NBA

Eric Montross, who starred at North Carolina under legendary coach Dean Smith in the early 1990s before an eight year NBA career, died Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. He was 52.

His death sparked an outpouring of tributes and support from around the college basketball world, who recognized him for both his skill on the floor and the type of human he was off of it.

Michigan Wolverines guard Jalen rose passes the ball while being defended by North Carolina Tar Heels center Eric Montross during the 1993 NCAA Men's Final Four championship game at the Superdome. North Carolina defeated Michigan 77-71.

MPS-USA TODAY Sports

Montross was “the nicest, kindest person one could ever know” according to ESPN commentator Jay Bilas, who was among the many people to chime on social media after Montross’s death was announced Monday morning.

Montross was a two-time consensus All-American during his storied career with the Tar Heels, which included winning the 1993 national championship over Michigan’s “Fab Five." That title earned him a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

After retiring from the NBA, Montross spent time around the Tar Heels as a radio broadcaster, was involved in charity work and helped raise money for North Carolina, only furthering his legendary status around college basketball. Plenty of former players, coaches and media members have all chimed in to celebrate his life.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Moderate Drinking Linked to Lower Overall Mortality Rate, Says National Academy of Sciences
So let's all enjoy a moderate toast to a Happy New Year!
Reason
Reason
Women more likely to binge drink when estrogen levels are higher, new study finds
‘Estrogen has such powerful effects on so many behaviours, particularly in females. So, it makes sense that it would also modulate drinking,’ report author says
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
‘Every night was Halloween’ – how one ‘camera girl’ captured the madcap style of 80s New York
Grace Jones, David Bowie and Debbie Harry feature alongside lesser known dancers in Sharon Smith’s Polaroids of the city’s club scene, where dressing up was your passport into the creative world
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Humans will soon be able to mine on the Moon. But should we? 4 questions to consider
By the end of this decade, nations and private companies may well be mining the surface of the Moon.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Garten reflects on Winfrey's "love tap"
Garten reflected on the special moment in her recent memoir, "Be Ready When the Luck Happens"
Salon
Salon
Justin Baldoni to reportedly file counterclaim against Blake Lively
Dispute between It Ends With Us co-stars escalates further with Baldoni’s lawyer claiming lawsuit will ‘shock everyone’
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play