EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements  on  Form  S-8  (Nos.  33-98958,  333-92477,   333-92479,  333-43490,
333-48830)  and on Form S-3 (No.  33-98728)  of Cree,  Inc. of our report  dated
December 12, 2000 except for Note 11 which is dated December 29, 2000,  relating
to the  financial  statements of UltraRF,  a division of Spectrian  Corporation,
which appears in the Current Report on Form 8-KA of Cree, Inc. dated , March 19,
2001.


/s/ PRICWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

San Jose, California
March 19, 2001