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The New Jersey Nets have named Bill Cartwright as an assistant coach, Nets’ CEO Rod Thorn announced today. As per club policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

"Bill brings a wealth of NBA experience to our coaching staff," said Thorn. "His knowledge of the game, gained from playing and coaching, will be an invaluable asset to Coach Frank and the Nets players."

Cartwright joins the Nets after serving as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls for parts of the past three seasons (12/28/01 - 11/24/03). In 151 games as head coach in Chicago, Cartwright compiled a record of 51-100.

Prior to being named head coach of the Bulls, Cartwright spent six seasons as an assistant coach with Chicago, following his hiring on September 3, 1996. As an assistant under Phil Jackson (1996-98), Cartwright helped the Bulls to the 1997 and 1998 NBA World Championships. As an assistant under Tim Floyd (1998-2001), Cartwright instructed the big men on the Bulls’ roster, spearheading the development of the centers and power forwards.

A 7-1, 245-pound center, Cartwright played 15 years in the NBA, including six with the Bulls.

An NBA All-Star (1980), he finished with career averages of 13.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.4 apg, shooting .525 from the floor and .771 from the free throw line. In 124 career playoff games, Cartwright averaged 8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 1.3 apg, shooting .482 from the floor and .725 from the free throw line.

On June 27, 1988, Chicago obtained Cartwright from the New York Knicks in exchange for Charles Oakley in a trade that propelled the Bulls to their first three NBA World Championships. Cartwright appeared in 397 games with the Bulls, averaging 9.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg, shooting .475 from the floor and .735 from the free throw line.

Drafted by the Knicks in the first round (third overall) of the 1979 NBA Draft, Cartwright played his first eight seasons in New York, averaging 16.8 ppg and 7.1 rpg, shooting .552 from the floor. As a rookie, Cartwright averaged career-highs of 21.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg, shooting .554 from the floor. He earned NBA All-Rookie Team honors and was named to the 1980 NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Cartwright, 47, was born on July 30, 1957 in Lodi, Calif.