Cardte Hicks bio

Cardte Hicks is a former professional women’s basketball star and founder of the non-profit Legends: Kids First. Founded in 1997, this organization provides services for children and youth and programs offering valuable life skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship and communication. Cardte stresses the importance of health and nutrition, a good education and encourages young people to stay in school and focus on their schoolwork. She also invites successful athletes to speak to the young people.

The daughter of a preacher and one of seven siblings, Cardte rose from humble beginnings in San Pedro, California. Her love of basketball began at a young age as she played on a team with her brothers. Even as a child, Cardte dreamed of playing professionally and later fulfilled that dream playing in Europe from 1977 – 80.

She was the first athlete to break the glass ceiling in Women’s Professional Basketball. Posing as a man in 1977 she was drafted as the first woman to play for a men’s pro team in the history of the sport. The team was Vas Goed Sterjan based in Oud-berjerland, Holland. This bold step led to her being picked up by the Women’s Professional Team, where she sank the first slam dunk with two hands in the history of professional women’s basketball in 1978.

Returning to the states in 1980, she joined the San Francisco Pioneers WBL professional women’s league. In 1984 the WBL discontinued operations. At that time, Cardte went back to Europe where she eventually retired in 1994.

With the establishment of the WNBA she was invited to try out for the 1997 Sacramento Monarchs but unfortunately a knee injury prevented her from joining the team. Still, she did not give up. Her most important accomplishments come from her personality. Turning obstacle into opportunity, she focused her energy and talent in a different direction and used her skills to help young people achieve their dreams.

Cardte’s proven leadership and motivational skills have helped her to train and coach others toward their dreams. Her dedication to the sport and her knowledge of women’s’ basketball internationally provide the unique perspectives that only a few of the world’s best coaches have.

In 1999 Cardte was awarded the California Lottery “Heroes in Education” award. A well known motivational speaker and singer, she continues to address audiences of young people across America in settings that range from elementary school classrooms to basketball hall of fame audiences.

She has a beautiful voice and was invited to sing at the class of 2006 induction ceremony at the Women’s’ Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, TN.

Cardte was a guest speaker for the MVP of Character Series at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield MA. By sharing her own challenges and experiences with audiences of all ages, she encourages young people stay in school and achieve their dreams.

Cardte’s passion for the organization and its work is clear. With few financial resources she has often funded programs with her own money. In 2005-2006 difficulties within the organization forced Cardte to take a step back and evaluate the obstacles. Drawing upon her Christian faith to turn obstacles into challenges, she faced this one head on and made the necessary changes to overcome it. Today, the organization is stronger than ever and back to the work of providing young people with the tools they need to succeed.

Note: In 1977 Cardte took classes on line in Europe but discovered later that the on line school was not accredited. Now she is pursuing a degree in psychology with Phoenix University.