Bill Cartwright

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cartwright was born in Lodi, California, on July 30, 1957. In high school, he played for the Elk Grove Thundering Herd, which went undefeated in 1973–1974 and was named the best high school team in California in 1974 and 1975. Elk Grove won the NorCal Tournament of Champions in 1975. Cartwright was named California High School State Basketball Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975, and California High School Sports Athlete of the Year in 1975. He graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1975.

In Their Own Story

The trade on June 15, 1988, marked a turning point for Chicago. The Bulls sent forward Charles Oakley and two draft picks to acquire Cartwright, valuing the need for a center alongside the rapid development of Horace Grant. For five seasons, Cartwright anchored the paint as Michael Jordan ascended to superstardom. He played through significant adversity, most notably in 1993 when he suffered a fractured larynx against Indiana. Despite multiple surgeries and a permanently hoarse voice, he remained on the roster for the championship run. When Michael Jordan retired following the third title, Cartwright helped guide the team to the 1994 playoffs, where they were eliminated in a controversial Game 7 by the Knicks. Departing as an unrestricted free agent, he joined the Seattle SuperSonics for his final season, playing just 29 games before retiring.

Reader's Guide

Cartwright was the third overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the New York Knicks and made his only All-Star appearance in his first season. He averaged over 20 points per game in his first two seasons. Foot injuries caused him to miss the 1984–1985 season and limited him to two games in 1985–1986. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls on June 15, 1988, and was the Bulls' starting center during their three-peat from 1991 to 1993. In the 1992–93 season, he suffered a fractured larynx after being elbowed in the throat. He left the Bulls as a free agent and signed with the Seattle SuperSonics, playing 29 games before retiring after the 1994–95 season. He later served as an assistant coach for the Bulls, head coach of the Bulls (interim in 2001–02, permanent in 2002–03, fired 14 games into 2003–04), assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns, head coach of Osaka Evessa in Japan, and head coach of the Mexico men's national basketball team in 2014.

Did You Know?

• Cartwright finished his college career as the San Francisco Dons' all-time leading scorer with 2,116 points.
• He played on one of the tallest starting lineups in collegiate history, with three players 6'10" or taller.
• Cartwright earned a master's degree in organization development from USF in 1998.
• He is an avid fan of doo-wop music from the 1950s and 1960s and plays guitar.