Eric Montross
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
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Born | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | September 23, 1971||||||||||||||
Died | December 17, 2023 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S. | (aged 52)||||||||||||||
Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | ||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school | Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Indiana) | ||||||||||||||
College | North Carolina (1990–1994) | ||||||||||||||
NBA draft | 1994: 1st round, 9th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
Selected by the Boston Celtics | |||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1994–2002 | ||||||||||||||
Position | Center | ||||||||||||||
Number | 0, 00 | ||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||
1994–1996 | Boston Celtics | ||||||||||||||
1996–1997 | Dallas Mavericks | ||||||||||||||
1997 | New Jersey Nets | ||||||||||||||
1997 | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||||||||||||
1997–2001 | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||
2001–2002 | Toronto Raptors | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Career NBA statistics | |||||||||||||||
Points | 2,071 (4.5 ppg) | ||||||||||||||
Rebounds | 2,159 (4.6 rpg) | ||||||||||||||
FG% | .490 | ||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Eric Scott Montross (September 23, 1971 – December 17, 2023) was an American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for eight seasons with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. Born in Indianapolis, he played for Lawrence North High School before enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to play for the Tar Heels.
High school
Playing for
Montross was also a baseball pitcher in high school and was drafted by the
College career
Montross was part of the UNC team that won the
Professional career
Boston Celtics (1994–1996)
Montross was selected by the
Dallas Mavericks (1996–1997)
Montross spent two seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1996, in exchange for a 1997 first-round draft pick and the right to swap first-round draft picks in the 1996 NBA draft.[13][14]
New Jersey Nets (1997)
At the 1997 trade deadline, Montross, Jim Jackson, Chris Gatling, George McCloud, and Sam Cassell were traded to the New Jersey Nets for Ed O'Bannon, Khalid Reeves, Shawn Bradley and Robert Pack.[15]
Philadelphia 76ers (1997)
On the day of the 1997 NBA draft, Montross and Jackson were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers with the draft rights of Tim Thomas and Anthony Parker for Don MacLean, Lucious Harris, Michael Cage and the draft rights of Keith Van Horn.[16][17]
Detroit Pistons (1997–2001)
In December 1997, Montross and Jerry Stackhouse were traded to the Detroit Pistons for Aaron McKie and Theo Ratliff.[18] During his tenure with the Pistons, Montross played for 167 games, starting 32 of them and averaging 1.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.[19][20]
Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)
In 2001, Montross and Jerome Williams were traded to the Toronto Raptors for Kornél Dávid, Tyrone Corbin and Corliss Williamson.[21]
Retirement
Montross announced his retirement on August 26, 2003, due to a foot injury and was waived by the Raptors in February 2004.[22][23] During his career, Montross averaged 4.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.4 assists per game. He played in 465 games and started 288.[20]
After basketball
Montross was a
Montross was known locally for his support for charitable causes, especially fundraising for the
Death
The Montross family said in a statement in late March 2023 that Montross had recently been diagnosed with cancer and would receive treatment at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.[10] He died later that year on December 17 at age 52.[30]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
Source:[31]
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990–91 | North Carolina | 35 | 9 | 15.2 | .587 | - | .612 | 4.2 | .3 | .2 | .9 | 5.8 |
1991–92 | North Carolina | 31 | 25 | 25.3 | .574 | - | .624 | 7 | .6 | .5 | 1 | 11.2 |
1992–93 | North Carolina | 38 | 36 | 28.3 | .615 | - | .684 | 7.6 | .7 | .6 | 1.2 | 15.8 |
1993–94 | North Carolina | 35 | 35 | 31.7 | .560 | - | .558 | 8.1 | .8 | .5 | 1.8 | 13.6 |
Career | 139 | 105 | 25.2 | .585 | - | .624 | 6.8 | .6 | .5 | 1.2 | 11.7 |
NBA
Source:[20]
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994–95 | Boston | 78 | 75 | 29.7 | .534 | .000 | .635 | 7.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 10.0 |
1995–96 | Boston | 61 | 59 | 23.5 | .566 | – | .376 | 5.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 7.2 |
1996–97 | Dallas | 47 | 46 | 20.9 | .460 | – | .294 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 3.9 |
1996–97 | New Jersey | 31 | 31 | 27.2 | .451 | – | .393 | 9.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 5.1 |
1997–98 | Philadelphia | 20 | 20 | 16.9 | .395 | – | .368 | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 3.4 |
1997–98 | Detroit | 28 | 10 | 12.6 | .456 | – | .429 | 3.8 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
1998–99 | Detroit | 46 | 2 | 12.5 | .525 | .000 | .344 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 2.1 |
1999–00 | Detroit | 51 | 0 | 6.5 | .309 | – | .500 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
2000–01 | Detroit | 42 | 20 | 13.5 | .413 | – | .269 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
2000–01 | Toronto | 12 | 1 | 6.8 | .353 | – | .200 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 |
2001–02 | Toronto | 49 | 24 | 13.4 | .402 | .000 | .323 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.4 |
Career | 465 | 288 | 18.2 | .490 | .000 | .478 | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 4.5 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | Boston | 4 | 4 | 15.5 | .455 | – | .500 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.3 |
1999 | Detroit | 5 | 0 | 14.0 | .500 | – | .500 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 |
2000 | Detroit | 2 | 0 | 2.5 | – | – | – | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2001 | Toronto | 5 | 0 | 6.2 | .400 | – | – | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
Career | 16 | 4 | 10.5 | .455 | – | .500 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 |
See also
Notes
- ^ "UNC Tar Heels McDonald's All-Americans". Tar Heel Times. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "7-footer From Indiana Picks N. Carolina". Chicago Tribune. March 22, 1990. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Eric Montross". Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "1994 Chicago Cubs Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft".
- ProQuest 283467358. (subscription required)
- ^ Adande, J. A. (April 5, 1993). "Montross Decision: No Regrets". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 98, section –.
- ^ "Eric Montross Stats". Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ a b "Former UNC star Eric Montross, 52, dies of cancer". ESPN. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Cole, Mike (December 18, 2023). "Former Celtics Lottery Pick Dies At 52 After Battle With Cancer". NESN. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Loose, Joey (April 21, 2023). "10 biggest North Carolina basketball NBA Draft busts of all time". Keeping It Heel. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Celtics trade Montross, No. 1 to Mavericks". Tampa Bay Times. June 12, 1996. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Celtics Trade Montross, Move Up in Draft". Los Angeles Times. June 12, 1996. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Canavan, Tom (February 18, 1997). "Mavericks, Nets swap 9 players". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Selena (June 28, 1997). "The Nets Decide the Future Can't Wait". The New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Kepner, Tyler (June 28, 1997). "Nets get Van Horn from 76ers". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; 76ers Send Stackhouse And Montross to Pistons". The New York Times. December 19, 1997. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Eric Montross, former North Carolina and Pistons big man, dies at 52 after cancer fight". The Detroit News. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ Basketball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ "Raptors pull off day's second trade". United Press International. February 22, 2001. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Eric Montross Announces Retirement". Real GM. August 26, 2003. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Raptors sign Pargo, place Baxter on injured list and waive Montross". Real GM. February 25, 2004. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- Greensboro News and Record. July 12, 2005. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Carter, Andrew (December 18, 2023). "Eric Montross was once a hero to a dying teen. He taught UNC player the word's true meaning". The News & Observer. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ Chapelboro.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ Rzeppa, Brian (June 17, 2013). "Inside The League (4): A TLN Exclusive Interview With Former Celtics Top Pick Eric Montross". The League News. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ "<< N.C. Children's Promise >> Events > Eric Montross". Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
- ^ Swanson, Shelby (December 18, 2023). "UNC men's basketball, Chapel Hill community mourn the loss of Eric Montross". The Daily Tar Heel. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "Eric Montross passes away at 52 after battle with cancer". SB Nation. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Eric Montross College Stats". Sports Reference College Basketball. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com