Cartwright hired to coach Japan's Osaka Evessa

Former NBA player and coach Bill Cartwright has been hired as coach of the Osaka Evessa in Japan's professional basketball league.

Cartwright coached the Chicago Bulls from 2001-03. Osaka announced Tuesday he would guide the team for the rest of the 2013 season.

Osaka is in ninth place in the 10-team Western Conference with a 5-19 record with half a season remaining.

Cartwright becomes the second former NBA coach to be hired by a team in the league. Bob Hill coached the Tokyo Apache in 2010.

Cartwright played for the New York Knicks, Chicago and Seattle SuperSonics over 15 seasons in the NBA. He had a 51-100 record in three seasons as coach of the Bulls.