UNC Basketball pays tribute to the late Eric Montross

On Monday, the college basketball world was devastated by the news of the passing of former UNC basketball legend Eric Montross.

Montross, who had battled cancer since March 2023, lost his battle on Sunday, as the family released a statement on Monday morning.

At just 52-years-old, Montross is gone too soon, as the UNC basketball family mourns this huge loss.

Prior to the UNC basketball program's first game since Montross' passing, the Tar Heels are honoring Montross by wearing special shooting shirts that feature his No. 00 that he so proudly wore during his time in Chapel Hill.

Jones Angell and Adam Lucas kicked off the Tar Heels Sports Network coverage for tonight's game with a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to their former colleague and friend, one that certainly left the listening audience tearing up. A moment of silence is also expected to occur at the Spectrum Center before North Carolina takes on Oklahoma in the annual Jumpman Invitational.

There will be more tributes to Montross over the next couple of weeks, as the UNC basketball program will certainly honor him when they return to the Dean Smith Center on December 29. Although he is no longer with us, Montross' legacy as an amazing human being will forever live on, as his impact on the lives of many (not just at North Carolina) will always be remembered.

Montross wasn't the type of person who would want the attention, but he certainly deserves every ounce of it. One things for sure: Montross would be focused on the basketball game ahead, as he'd be rooting very hard for his beloved Tar Heels as they battle Oklahoma in a top-25 matchup.

Let's go win this one for Big Grits.

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