Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and a beloved longtime television broadcaster for the franchise, has passed away at the age of 59.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed on Sunday afternoon by NBA Insider Shams Charania, sending shockwaves across the basketball community and Bulls fanbase.
His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
King was a foundational piece of the Bulls’ 1990s dominance, entering the league as the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. He stayed with the franchise during their most dominant period, before joining the Timberwolves from the 1993–94 campaign.
King played eight seasons in the league, anchoring the paint alongside Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the Bulls’ historic 1991, 1992 and 1993 championship runs.
While his playing career cemented his place in Chicago folklore, King found a new generation of fans in his post-playing career – as a commentator for Bulls TV broadcasts.
Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and a beloved longtime television broadcaster for the franchise, has passed away at the age of 59
King played eight seasons in the league and played alongside Bulls legend Michael Jordan during the Bulls’ historic 1991, 1992 and 1993 championship runs
King stayed with the franchise during their most dominant period, before being traded to the Timberwolves during the 1993–94 campaign
Tributes have already begun pouring in from heartbroken fans online, who are mourning the tragic loss of a franchise icon.
In a statement, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said: ‘Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history.
‘His connection to Chicago, the Bulls and our fans spanned more than three decades – first as a player and later as the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans.
‘We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor, and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts, and our fans every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.’
Meanwhile, team president and COO Michael Reinsdorf said: ‘Stacey loved being a Bull. You could feel it in everything he did – the way he played, the way he called games, and the way he connected with our fans.
‘He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation, or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued.
‘We were fortunate to know him not only as a player and broadcaster, but as a friend. Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better. We will miss him dearly, and his impact, memory and legacy will remain a part of the Chicago Bulls forever.’
During his eight-season playing career – that included stops with the Timberwolves, Heat, Celtics and Mavericks – King averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.
While his playing career cemented his place in Chicago folklore, King found a new generation of fans in his post-playing career – as a commentator for Bulls TV broadcasts
However, it was the start of his career with the Bulls were he found most his success.
King played all 82 games as a rookie, after being the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, coming off the bench to earn NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
He averaged 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds while playing alongside Michael Jordan as the Bulls reeled off three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993.
King later went into coaching, taking a job as the head coach of the Rockford Lightning of the Continental Basketball Association for the 2001-02 season.
