Former North Carolina and NBA big man Montross dies at 52 after cancer fight

Eric Montross, a former North Carolina and NBA player, died Sunday, his family said. He was 52.

The school released the family’s announcement Monday morning, saying Montross died Sunday at his Chapel Hill home. He had been diagnosed with cancer in March and stepped away from 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.

Montross played for the Tar Heels from 1990-94 and was a twotime Associated Press second-team All-american. He started on an NCAA championship team in 1993, was the No. 9 overall pick by the Celtics a year later and played in the NBA until 2002. In addition to his broadcast duties, he worked as senior major gifts director for the fundraising arm of UNC’S athletics department. He was also known for charitable efforts. The family announced Montross’ illness when he was diagnosed, but didn’t specify the nature of the cancer.

WNBA: The WNBA released its schedule Monday, with its usual month-long break for the Olympics. There will be no regular-season contests July 18-Aug. 14 because of the Paris Games. The league’s 28th season will begin May 14 with eight teams in action, including two-time defending champ Las Vegas, which opens vs. Phoenix. Teams will again play 40 games with the regular season ending Sept. 19.

“We eagerly anticipate tipping off the 2024 season and building on the success of last season, our mostwatched in 21 years and a record-setter for social media engagement, digital consumption, All-star merchandise sales and sports betting,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, adding that “the new format to the Commissioner’s Cup will provide fans a great opportunity to see the best players in the world compete for bragging rights and prize money early in the season.” The WNBA changed the format of it’s in-season tournament with all Commissioner’s Cup games set for June 1-13. The championship game is June 25. Teams now will only play the other five teams in their conference once instead of a home-and-home set.

FORMER PLAYERS: Kareem Abdul-jabbar, 76, is recovering from surgery for a broken hip after he fell at a concert. The NBA Hall of Famer had surgery “with no complications,” his business partner and spokeswoman, Deborah Morales, said, adding that “he will be in recovery for the next three months.” The center was the NBA career scoring leader until being passed by Lebron James in February.

AP FILE North Carolina’s Eric Montross (from left), Donald Williams and Pat Sullivan watch the last seconds of their overtime victory against Cincinnati at the NCAA East Regional Final in March 1993 at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. Montross, who played for the Tar Heels until 1994, died Sunday.