CHICAGO — Stacey King, a former NBA player who earned three consecutive championship rings with the Chicago Bulls between 1991 and 1993 and later became an Emmy-winning voice for the franchise, has passed away at the age of 59.
The Bulls organization revealed King’s death occurred on Sunday, with the team learning of his passing through notification from a family member. Additional details surrounding his death were not immediately provided.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “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.”
King launched his professional basketball career with Chicago after the Bulls drafted the 6-foot-11 forward/center from Oklahoma as the sixth overall selection in 1989. During his five-year tenure with the Bulls, he recorded averages of 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
His NBA career spanned eight seasons total, featuring additional stints with teams in Minnesota, Miami, Boston and Dallas. King concluded his playing days with career statistics of 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
In his broadcasting role, King won over a fresh generation of Bulls fans during more than twenty years as a game commentator for the franchise.
“Stacey loved being a Bull,” Bulls president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “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. He brought an energy and love for the game that came through in every broadcast, helping fans feel connected to our team. 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.”
Fans cherished King for his distinctive commentary style and creative player nicknames. His excitement was evident whenever Chicago made significant plays during games.
“We enjoy what we do,” King said last month on his “Gimme the Hot Sauce” podcast, a reference to a comment he’d frequently make after big plays. “It’s a fun job. It never seems like work for me. Every night, I go to work, win, lose or draw, I’m having fun.”
