Stacey King’s death at 59 has left the Chicago Bulls community mourning one of the franchise’s most familiar and beloved figures — a three-time NBA champion who later became the soundtrack of Bulls basketball for a generation of fans.
The Bulls announced King’s death on Sunday, prompting an immediate wave of tributes for a man whose connection to Chicago stretched from the Michael Jordan championship years to nearly two decades behind the microphone. At the time of publication, King’s cause of death had not been confirmed.
That detail matters. King had remained publicly active recently, including social media posts discussing the NBA Finals just days before the announcement. No official medical explanation has been released, and any claims beyond that remain unverified.
Stacey King cause of death update: The Chicago Bulls have confirmed King’s death at 59, but no official cause of death has been announced.
Stacey King remembered by the Chicago Bulls
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf described King as “a cherished member of the Bulls family” and one of the organization’s most unique personalities. The tribute reflected how deeply King’s identity had become tied to the franchise — first as a player during its rise to dynasty status, then as the voice fans heard through years of rebuilds, playoff pushes and unforgettable individual performances.
King’s basketball story began long before the broadcast booth. The Bulls selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft after a standout college career at Oklahoma. According to his official NBA profile, King played eight years in the league and was listed as a 6-foot-11 forward-center.
His most famous playing years came in Chicago, where he was part of the Bulls’ first championship run from 1991 to 1993. Those teams, led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, changed the NBA’s global profile and turned the Bulls into one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.
King was not the biggest statistical name on those rosters, but he became part of the fabric of that era. He played a role on a team defined by stars, specialists, personalities and competitors who understood what it took to survive the Eastern Conference and reach the top of the league.
Across his NBA career, King averaged 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He later had stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, but Chicago remained the city most closely tied to his name.
From Bulls champion to unmistakable broadcast voice
For many younger Bulls fans, King was known less as a former player and more as the energetic commentator who made ordinary regular-season nights feel alive. He began his broadcasting career as a studio analyst in 2006 before moving into the color commentator role the following year.
His calls became part of modern Bulls culture. King brought humor, candor and rhythm to the broadcast, delivering excitement without losing sight of what was happening on the floor. His chemistry with play-by-play partners helped turn Bulls telecasts into a familiar nightly experience for fans across Chicago and beyond.
King’s style was distinctive because it never felt detached. He reacted like someone who loved the game, understood the players and cared about the city. He could celebrate a highlight, explain a defensive mistake, credit an opponent and still keep the broadcast moving with personality.
That is why the reaction to his death has carried such emotional weight. King was more than a former champion returning to the franchise. He became a bridge between eras: the Jordan dynasty, the Derrick Rose years, the long stretches of transition and the current Bulls generation trying to build its own identity.
Michael Reinsdorf said King had a gift for making games feel personal, whether through a broadcast, a fan interaction or a simple conversation. That sentiment captures why his loss feels so immediate for the Bulls audience. King did not merely describe the team; for many fans, he helped define the feeling of watching it.
The cause of death remains unconfirmed, and the Bulls have not released further medical details. Until an official update is provided, the most accurate account is also the simplest: Stacey King, a three-time Chicago Bulls champion and longtime broadcaster, has died at 59, leaving behind a legacy built on championships, connection and a voice that became inseparable from Bulls basketball.
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