Eric Montross Biography, Career, Family, Spouse, and Net Worth

Who is Eric Montross?

Eric Scott Montross is a famous American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for 8 seasons with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors.

Eric Montross Career

High school

Montross was born in Indianapolis and played for Lawrence North High School, where he was picked as a McDonald’s All-American in 1990. In the same year, he was named to the USA Today All-USA First Team. Following leading Lawrence North to the Indiana high school basketball championship, he committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels. He was also a baseball pitcher in high school and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 1,547th selection overall in the 1994 MLB draft.

College career

Montross was part of the UNC team that won the NCAA Championship over Michigan in 1993 and was named an All-American as a junior and senior. His father and grandfather had played for Michigan. Montross’s father Scott was a teammate of Cazzie Russell in the 1960s and his maternal grandfather John Townsend was an All-American in the 1930s. He appeared in 139 games, averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in 4 seasons at UNC.

Professional career

He was picked with the 9th overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. In his first year in the NBA, Montross averaged 10 points per game, was picked to the 1995 Rookie All-Star Game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team. However, he would never again reach this level of production. The team came under fire for picking Montross against players such as Jalen Rose, Eddie Jones, and Aaron McKie.

During his career in the NBA, he played with the Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and the Toronto Raptors. He revealed his retirement on August 26, 2003, because of a foot injury and was waived by the Raptors in February 2004. During his career, he averaged 4.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, and 0.4 assists per game. Montross played in 465 games and began 288.

Post basketball

Eric is a color commentator on the Tar Heel Sports Network men’s basketball broadcasts, having served the position since Mick Mixon left to become the play-by-play voice of the Carolina Panthers. With the Pan-American Health Organization, he co-founded an organization called Vaccine Ambassadors. It aims to distribute vaccines all over the world, especially to developing countries, and assist children. In 1994, Montross began the Eric Montross Fathers Day Basketball Camp. The camp has raised more than one million dollars for the UNC Children’s hospital.

He works for The Rams Club at The University of North Carolina as a principal gifts fundraiser. In late March of 2023, a statement was released by the Montross family stating that he had recently been diagnosed with cancer and that he would be receiving treatment at the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.

A photo of Eric Montross
A photo of Eric Montross

How old is Eric Montross?

Eric Scott Montross is currently aged 51 years having been born on September 23, 1971, in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. He shares his birthday with famous people including Kalani Hilliker, Jordyn Woods, Chris Sails, J.I., Carmie Sellitto, Bruce Springsteen, Anthony Mackie, John Harbaugh, Matt Hardy, and many others.

Eric Montross Family

Who are Eric Montross’s parents?

Eric Scott Montross was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to his parents, Scott Montross and his wife Janice Montross. His father was a teammate of Cazzie Russell in the 1960s. His grandfather John Townsend was an All-American in the 1930s.

Does Eric Montross have siblings?

Montross was born to his parents among two children. He has one sibling, a sister named Christine Montross, who is a medical doctor and writer.

Eric Montross Education

Montross attended Lawrence North High School, where he played basketball and baseball, before graduating. He then attended the University of North Carolina, where he played basketball from 1990 to 1994.

Eric Montross Spouse

On August 27, 1994, Montross married his beautiful and loving wife Laura Leonard, a project manager at The Curated Table. The couple has been happily married and is blessed with two children.

Eric Montross Children

Montross and Leonard have two children together, son Andrew Montross and daughter Sarah Montross.

Eric Montross Height

Montross has a well-built, muscular, and physically fit body with a height of 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) and a weight of 113 kg (250 lbs).

Eric Montross Net Worth

American former professional basketball player Montross was active in the NBA from 1994 to 2002 when he retired. He became a color commentator and has a net worth of around $5 million as of 2023.