The Boston Celtics and the basketball community were hit with the shocking news that former player Eric Montross is battling cancer. The Celtics‘ first-round selection in the 1994 NBA draft released a statement via his family and the University of North Carolina’s Men’s basketball team’s Twitter account.
“Eric was recently diagnosed with cancer and is beginning treatments under the care of the amazing oncologists, nurses, and staff at the world-class UNC Lineberger Cancer Center. Our family is, of course, deeply concerned, but we have spent nearly three decades in the fight against children’s cancer and know well the incredible advancements that are being made in oncology treatments, as well as the power of love, prayer, support, and positivity” it began.
“We are all touched by the responses our entire family has received since the news became public.”
“Your support is more than appreciated; it is welcomed as a necessary part of beating cancer one day at a time,” it continued. “Our family is dealing with Eric’s diagnosis head-on – the only way we know how. And we are all in this fight together.”
Montross is currently the radio analyst for the Tarheels basketball team and is famously a vital member of the 1993 National Championship team. He racked up accolades throughout his collegiate career as a two-time Second-Team All-American and one-time First-Team ACC member.
He played with the Celtics from 1994-1996, most notably named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1995, averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds a game.
Montross played in the NBA until 2002, suiting up for several other teams as a serviceable big man at a time when centers predominantly stayed in the paint.
He helped contribute to the Celtics clinching an unexpected playoff spot in 1995, the first following the retirement of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, and without Robert Parish.
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