On Monday, December 18, the Boston Celtics and the basketball world were struck a devastating blow with the death of Eric Montross. Montross, a 7-foot center from North Carolina who was a first-round pick of the Celtics in 1994, died Sunday after a cancer battle, according to his family. He was 52.
Eric Montross Played with the Boston Celtics for Two Years
Montross’ NBA career lasted eight years, including his first two seasons with the Celtics, who drafted him ninth overall in 1994.
As a rookie, he had his greatest season. During the 1994-95 season, he started 75 games at center for the Celtics. Montross averaged 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53.4% from the field. All-Rookie honors were bestowed upon him.
In his second season, he started 59 of the 61 games he appeared in. Montross finished with 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 56.6%.
Following that season, the Celtics sold Montross and a first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for a first-round pick in 1996 and another in 1997. The Celtics used that pick to choose Antoine Walker in 1996. They chose Ron Mercer in 1997.
Glenn Ordway, a former Celtics radio color analyst, said Montross usually had a smile on his face.
“So sad to hear of the passing of former Celtic, Eric Montross, at only 52,” Ordway said on X. “I recall him as a guy who always smiled when you approached him…RIP.”
On Monday, the Celtics put out a short post on X regarding Montross’ death.
“RIP Eric Montross,” the post read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Montross family.”
