Who Was Eric Montross? How Did He Die at the Age of 52?
Eric Montross’s death, at the age of 52, was announced early Monday morning. A losing struggle with cancer was the reason for his death.
In March of this year, Eric Montross received the devastating news that he had cancer. His struggle ended over the weekend, and he passed away quietly at home with his loved ones by his side.
Some of Montross’s finest basketball memories occurred at North Carolina when he became a legend. To begin, he went on to the NBA after assisting in the 1993 championship team’s run. After a successful career in broadcasting, he returned to UNC to continue his work in the field. After that, for nearly twenty years, Montross was the Tar Heels’ broadcaster.
Who Was Eric Montross?
A star on the collegiate basketball court for UNC Chapel Hill, Montross was born in Indiana on September 23, 1971. At 7 feet tall and incredibly talented as a center, he established himself as a formidable force in college basketball.
As the ninth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, he was taken by the Celtics. Before hanging up his spikes in 2003, Montross had a lengthy NBA career that took him from the Celtics to the Mavericks, the Nets, the 76ers, and the Pistons.
What Was Eric Montross’s NBA Career Days?
After Eric Montross played college basketball for four years, he debuted in the NBA in 1994. The Boston Celtics selected him ninth overall, making him a top-ten pick.
Eric Montross had a good first year, but he never really settled into a role in the league. In 2003, he announced his retirement after bouncing about for nearly a decade.
Prior to joining the Dallas Mavericks, Montross spent only two seasons with the Boston Celtics. He was only there for half a season before moving on to the New Jersey Nets to finish the year.
Montross was once again in a state of perpetual flux throughout the 1997–98 season. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers for half of the season before joining the Detroit Pistons.
Throughout his NBA career, Montross would spend the most time at home in Detroit. During his four years with the team, he appeared in 167 games before being traded to the Toronto Raptors. He would play in 61 games between 2001 and 2002, his last appearance in the league.
