Stacey King Dies at 59: Remembering a Chicago Bulls Champion and Beloved Broadcaster
Stacey King dies at 59 — and the basketball world is reeling. Man, scrolling through the news this morning, my heart just sank a little bit. The city of Chicago and honestly, the entire global basketball community is mourning the loss of an absolute legend. Stacey King passed away at 59. The Bulls organization dropped the heartbreaking news on Sunday, and it’s left this massive void for generations of fans.
To be totally honest, as someone who obsessively follows the NBA, even if I wasn’t around to catch the peak 90s Bulls live, Stacey King’s electric commentary over highlight reels is just so incredibly familiar to me. King wasn’t just some ex-player with three championship rings; he was a piece of Chicago’s soul, someone who bonded with the crowd through a pure, unadulterated love for the game for over thirty years.
A Crucial Piece of the Bulls Dynasty
Let’s rewind a bit. King rolled into Chicago back in 1989 as the 6th overall pick. His college resume? Absolutely insane. Back at the University of Oklahoma, he basically dragged the Sooners to the NCAA championship game in ’88, snagging First-Team All-America and Big Eight Player of the Year honors right after. His impact was so huge that Oklahoma permanently retired his No. 33 jersey in 2008. Pretty legendary, right?
But Chicago is where Stacey King really cemented his legacy. As a rookie, he didn’t miss a single game — played all 82. He became the ultimate spark plug off the bench for a squad led by none other than Michael Jordan. And the rest is history: a three-peat from ’91 to ’93. Over 8 NBA seasons, averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 boards, even though he bounced around later to the T-Wolves, Heat, Celtics, and Mavs… Chicago was always “home.”
Stacey King: The Voice That Hooked Every Generation
After hanging up his sneakers, he gave coaching a shot (head coach for the CBA’s Rockford Lightning for a hot minute). But man, the broadcast booth was clearly his true calling.
For over two solid decades, Stacey King gave Bulls fans some of the most unforgettable broadcasts ever. His colorful takes, hilarious moments, and deep basketball IQ made him an instant fan favorite. If you watch the NBA, there’s no way you haven’t heard his iconic “Gimme the Hot Sauce!” after a poster dunk. Pure gold.
What really made King special, though, was how genuine he was. Fans adored the guy because he was blunt, funny, and just as crazy about hoops as they were. Listening to him call a game never felt like listening to a suit doing a job. It literally felt like you were sitting on the couch watching the game with your loudest, most passionate uncle.
The tributes pouring in from every corner of the sports world over the past couple of days say it all. Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called him a beloved family member, while President Michael Reinsdorf talked about how he just brought people together. Even the NBA put out a statement honoring his endless hustle. Colleagues remember a genuinely kind dude who loved mentoring the younger guys, always preaching one simple rule: just be yourself.
Seeing the flowers piling up outside the United Center really puts into perspective what Stacey King meant to the city. A champion, a storyteller, the ultimate Bulls ambassador. But mostly? He was just a guy who brought a ton of joy to people through his crazy enthusiasm for the game.
That booming voice might not echo through Bulls broadcasts anymore, but his legacy in Chicago? That’s going to live on forever. The rings put him in the history books, but his massive heart is why nobody will ever forget him.
For the latest NBA news and tributes, the league has honored his legacy officially. Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. Visit Teesparadize today to explore unique shirts, express your personality, and find the design that suits you best.