EXHIBIT 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements of
Cree, Inc. on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-92477,  33-92479,  33-98956 and 33-98958) and on
Form S-3 (No.  33-98728) of (i) our report dated July 21, 2000,  with respect to
the consolidated  financial statements of Cree, Inc. and subsidiaries,  and (ii)
our  report  dated  March 26,  2000,  except for Note 8, as to which the date is
April 10,  2000,  with  respect to the  financial  statements  of  Nitres,  Inc.
included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Cree,  Inc. for the year ended June
25, 2000.

                                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
August 8, 2000