The basketball world is mourning today. Stacey King, one of the most beloved figures in Chicago Bulls history, has died at 59 years old.
On Sunday, the Bulls announced that the three-time NBA champion and long-serving broadcaster has passed away.
NBA World Reacts to Stacey King’s Tragic Death
No cause of death has been given at this time. The news sent shockwaves through the NBA community, with tributes pouring in from across the sport for a man who spent more than three decades connected to the Bulls franchise in one form or another.
“Stacey King has passed away at 59 years old,” Shams Charania wrote on X. “A three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls across eight NBA seasons after being the No. 6 pick in the 1989 draft, and a beloved broadcaster for the team in his post-playing career.”
We are devastated by the passing of 3x NBA Champion and beloved broadcaster Stacey King. pic.twitter.com/NSyeopd880
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 7, 2026
The Bulls wrote, “We are devastated by the passing of 3x NBA Champion and beloved broadcaster Stacey King.” Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf, the owners of the Bulls franchise, also penned heartfelt messages about King.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 7, 2026
Esfandiar Baraheni, an NBA journalist at The Athletic, wrote on X, “One of the very best and most special broadcasters in the NBA. RIP. Man.”
One of the very best and most special broadcasters in the NBA. RIP. Man. https://t.co/4kdSzLN7l0
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) June 7, 2026
Some couldn’t believe the news. King has been quite active within the NBA space, appearing on podcasts and making public appearances very recently. It didn’t seem like he was having health struggles.
Bulls Central certainly expressed what we’re all feeling right now, writing, “Omg, there’s no way!”
Omg, there’s no way! https://t.co/Yl2er6q6jV
— Bulls Central (@BullsCentralYT) June 7, 2026
Michael C. Wright, an NBA writer at ESPN, said, “Prince of a man. Will be missed tremendously.”
Prince of a man. Will be missed tremendously. https://t.co/F9wvXqqFeG
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) June 7, 2026
David Kaplan, another ESPN analyst, said, “Absolutely devastated to hear that Stacey King has passed away at the age of 59 after a fall at his home. He made watching the Bulls, no matter good season or bad so much fun. God bless you, my friend. RIP.”
Absolutely devastated to hear that Stacey King has passed away at the age of 59 after a fall at his home. He made watching the Bulls, no matter good season or bad so much fun. God bless you, my friend. RIP. 😢💔
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) June 7, 2026
Born on January 29, 1967, in Lawton, Oklahoma, King was a standout at the University of Oklahoma before entering the 1989 NBA Draft. The Bulls selected him No. 6 overall, and he arrived in Chicago to find himself playing alongside two of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
King played all 82 games as a rookie, coming off the bench to average 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds, and was part of the Bulls roster that went on to win three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993 alongside Jordan and Pippen.
The 6-foot-11 center averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game across eight seasons in the league, also spending time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Dallas Mavericks before retiring from the NBA in 1997.
After retiring as a player, King began his broadcasting career in 2006, initially serving as a fill-in color commentator before becoming the Bulls’ lead color commentator alongside Neil Funk. He held that role for nearly two decades, later transitioning to the Chicago Sports Network when NBC Sports Chicago closed in 2024.
He was an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster known for his passion, humor, famous catchphrases, and willingness to call out the Bulls when they fell short. He made the down years watchable and the good years unforgettable.
King was just 59 years old. The world will always remember King and his unmistakable voice. Rest in peace, legend.
