The Chicago Bulls are mourning the sudden loss of Stacey King, a former player from the team’s legendary three-peat era who later became one of the most recognizable and beloved voices on Bulls broadcasts.
King, a member of the Bulls’ championship teams in the early 1990s, was remembered by the organization as a treasured part of its history and a fan favorite whose connection to Chicago lasted more than three decades.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history,” Bulls owner 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.”
King was selected by the Bulls with the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. During parts of five seasons in Chicago, he averaged 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
He was part of the Bulls dynasty that won three straight NBA championships from 1991 to 1993 alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the rest of the team that helped turn Chicago into the center of the basketball world.
King was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 1993-94 season. He later had stops with the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics before his playing career came to an end.
But for many younger Bulls fans, King became just as famous for what he did after leaving the court.
He joined Bulls broadcasts during the 2006-07 season, first appearing on pregame and postgame shows before becoming the team’s color commentator. His energy, humor and signature calls quickly made him a major part of the game-day experience for fans watching from home.
Since the 2020-21 season, King had worked alongside play-by-play announcer Adam Amin on Bulls broadcasts.
Team chairman Michael Reinsdorf said King’s love for the Bulls was obvious in everything he did.
“Stacey loved being a Bull. 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,” Reinsdorf said in a statement.
He said King had a special ability to make people feel connected to the team and to each other.
“He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal,” Reinsdorf continued. “Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation, or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued.”
The Bulls said King was more than a former player or broadcaster. He was a friend to the organization and someone who left a lasting mark on the franchise.
“We were fortunate to know him not only as a player and broadcaster, but as a friend,” Michael Reinsdorf said. “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.”
King’s death leaves the Bulls community grieving a familiar voice, a championship-era favorite and a larger-than-life personality who spent decades making fans feel closer to the team.