The Chicago Bulls have lost one of their own.
Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion, former lottery pick and beloved voice of Bulls basketball, has passed away at the age of 59.
For many fans, King was two different figures across two different eras. First, he was the energetic big man selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft by Chicago, joining a franchise that was on the verge of transforming basketball history. Later, he became one of the most recognizable broadcasters in the NBA, bringing the same passion, humor and unmistakable personality to television broadcasts that he once brought to the court.
His basketball journey began long before Chicago. At the University of Oklahoma, King emerged as one of the nation’s premier players, earning Consensus First-Team All-American honors and becoming one of the stars of college basketball. His dominant senior season made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in the 1989 draft, where he landed with a Bulls team led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
While King was never the centerpiece of Chicago’s dynasty, he became an important contributor during the franchise’s rise to greatness. He was a member of the Bulls teams that captured championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993, helping establish one of the most iconic dynasties in sports history. Those teams changed the NBA forever, and King was part of the foundation that helped turn the Bulls from contenders into champions.
Yet for many younger fans, King’s greatest legacy may have come after his playing career ended.
As the color commentator for Bulls broadcasts, King became one of the most entertaining and beloved local voices in professional sports. His enthusiasm was infectious. His catchphrases became part of Chicago basketball culture. Whether he was reacting to a thunderous dunk, celebrating a game-winning shot or simply sharing a story from his playing days, King made every game feel bigger.
He understood the city because he had lived its greatest basketball moments.
The Bulls organization has seen legends come and go throughout its history, but few figures remained connected to the franchise for as long or as deeply as Stacey King. He was part of the championship years. He was part of the rebuilding years. He was part of the Derrick Rose years. And he remained one of the most recognizable ambassadors of Bulls basketball until the very end.
Three championships will always be part of his résumé.
For Chicago, however, Stacey King’s legacy was always larger than rings.
He helped generations of Bulls fans fall in love with basketball, first as a player and later as the voice welcoming them into every game.
That is a legacy that will endure long after the final broadcast fades away.
