BILL CARTWRIGHT
Ex-NBA superstar Bill Cartwright will host a book signing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at the African American Contractors Association (AACA) headquarters, 514 E. 95th St., led by Omar Shareef. The event will spotlight Cartwright’s inspirational journey to success, chronicled in his new book, Living Life at the Center.
Cartwright, affectionately known as “Big Bill,” is a former professional basketball player and coach. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, he played 16 seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Seattle SuperSonics. He was instrumental in helping the Bulls win three consecutive championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993, and later served as a coach for the team during two additional title runs.
Born on July 30, 1957, in Lodi, California, Cartwright was raised in a large family of seven siblings. He played high school basketball at Elk Grove High School under coach Dan Risley. His team went undefeated in the 1973-74 season and was named the best high school basketball team in California in both 1974 and 1975. They also captured the NorCal Tournament of Champions titles during those years.
Cartwright continued his basketball career at the University of San Francisco, where he was a consensus second-team All-American in 1977 and 1979. He graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and later earned a master’s degree in Organization Development from the same university. In 2016, he returned to serve as the university’s Director of University Initiatives.
Now 66, Cartwright is more than a former athlete—he’s also an entrepreneur. For the past 15 years, he has owned Froggie’s French Café in Highwood, Illinois. “I’ve been busy,” he told the Chicago Crusader.
Discussing his motivation for writing Living Life at the Center, Cartwright said, “I was the center for my entire life.” The book reflects on his personal journey from childhood through his education and his NBA career. He emphasized the importance of the “lessons he learned growing up.” His father was a farm laborer, and Cartwright said that example instilled in him the value of hard work. “That led me to success in high school and at the University of San Francisco,” he said.
“There is nothing you are not capable of doing if you are willing to put the time and effort in. I was taught that,” Cartwright said. He hopes his book will show readers how discipline and focus can turn dreams into achievements.
Cartwright is married to his junior high school sweetheart, Sheri. Together, they have four children: Justin, Jason, James, and Kristin.