Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and beloved Emmy-winning broadcaster, has died at the age of 59, the team announced Sunday.
No cause of death was disclosed.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the most unique personalities in our organisation’s history,” Bulls owner and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “His deep connection to Chicago, the Bulls, and our fans spanned more than three decades — first as a player, and later as the unmistakable voice that brought Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans.
“We will miss him dearly and will always remember the joy, energy, humour, candour, and passion he brought to our organisation, our broadcasts, and our fans every single day.”
Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and longtime fan- favourite broadcaster, died Sunday at the age of 59, the team announced.
The Bulls did not release the cause of death.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organisation’s history,” said Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. “His connection to Chicago and the Bulls spanned more than three decades — first as a player and later as the unmistakable voice that brought Bulls basketball into homes across generations.
“We will miss him deeply and forever remember the joy, energy, humour, candour, and passion he brought every day.”
King, a 6-foot-11 forward/centre, averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds over an eight-year NBA career that also included stops with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Dallas Mavericks.
His greatest success, however, came during his early years with the Chicago Bulls. Selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma, King played all 82 games as a rookie. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds off the bench. He contributed to the Bulls’ dynasty alongside Michael Jordan and was part of Chicago’s first three consecutive championships, from 1991 to 1993.
“Stacey loved being a Bull,” Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “You could feel it in everything he did. It was in 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.
“Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organisation better. We will miss him dearly, and his impact, memory, and legacy will remain part of the Chicago Bulls forever.”
As a broadcaster, King became a fan favourite for a new generation of Bulls supporters. For more than two decades, he served as a colour commentator for Bulls games, delighting audiences with his memorable calls, colourful nicknames, and infectious enthusiasm.
“We enjoy what we do,” King said last month on his “Gimme the Hot Sauce” podcast — a nod to one of his signature catchphrases 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.”
Chicago Sports Network President and CEO Michael McCarthy called King “one of the most beloved figures in Chicago sports.”
“Stacey had a unique ability to connect generations of Bulls fans,” McCarthy said. “Whether through his basketball insight, his humour, or his unforgettable calls, he made every game more enjoyable and every broadcast better.”
Before his professional career, King helped lead Oklahoma to the 1988 NCAA national championship game, where they fell to Danny Manning and Kansas. The following season, he earned first-team All-America honours and was named Big Eight Player of the Year after averaging a conference-high 26.0 points and 2.3 blocks per game. Oklahoma retired his No. 33 jersey in 2008.
After retiring from playing, King briefly entered coaching, serving as head coach of the Rockford Lightning in the Continental Basketball Association during the 2001-02 season.
