Today, the sports world is mourning a truly one-of-a-kind character. Stacey King, the beloved Chicago Bulls broadcaster and a three-time NBA champion as a player, has passed away at the age of 59. The team confirmed his death on Sunday, sending shockwaves through the NBA community, as King had been the lead color commentator for Chicago’s television broadcasts through the end of the 2025-26 season.
While the Bulls initially withheld details, the specific circumstances of his death have since been reported. Multiple outlets, citing sources close to the team, have revealed that Stacey King’s death was the tragic result of a fall at his home. This is a devastating loss for a man who was just finishing another season doing what he loved: bringing the energy and joy of basketball to millions of fans.
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From the Paint to the Press Box
A Lawton, Oklahoma native, King was a dominant college star at the University of Oklahoma before being selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 1989 NBA Draft. As a reserve forward, he was a key role player during the Bulls’ first three-peat from 1991-93, playing alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. However, it was after his playing career that King truly cemented his legacy.
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
Finding his true calling in broadcasting, King joined the Bulls’ television crew in 2007 and became the lead color commentator the following year. He was an Emmy-winning broadcaster known for his infectious laugh, boundless enthusiasm, and a seemingly endless supply of creative nicknames for players, such as calling Derrick Rose the “Windy City Assassin”. As Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf noted, King became “the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans”.
The Cause of Death and Its Aftermath
The news of King’s sudden death was first reported on June 7, 2026, by the Chicago Bulls. The team’s statement initially provided no cause of death, but subsequent reporting clarified the tragic event. According to David Kaplan of ESPN Chicago, Stacey King died as a result of a fall in his home. At the time of his passing, he was just 59 years old.
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The reaction from the basketball world has been one of profound grief. Tributes have poured in from former teammates, players across the league, and countless fans who grew up listening to his colorful commentary. “Stacey loved being a Bull,” said team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf in a heartfelt statement. “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”. Stacey King’s legacy is not just one of championships, but of the joy and humanity he brought to the game every single night.
