The Chicago Bulls lost one of their most beloved figures on Sunday, and the basketball world is still processing it.
The Chicago Bulls announced that Stacey King passed away on June 7, 2026, at the age of 59. According to ESPN Chicago broadcaster David Kaplan, King died as a result of a fall in his home.
King wore two jerseys over the course of his life in Chicago - one on the court, one behind the microphone - and he wore both with the same unmistakable energy.
Born on January 29, 1967, in Lawton, Oklahoma, King played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma where he was a first-team All-American, and was selected sixth overall by the Bulls in the 1989 NBA Draft. He played all 82 games as a rookie and went on to win three consecutive championships alongside Michael Jordan from 1991 to 1993.
When his playing days ended, King never really left. He went on to work as an Emmy-winning color commentator for the Bulls for two decades. His catchphrases - "Gimme the hot sauce!" and "Big time players make big time plays" - became part of the fabric of Bulls basketball for an entire generation of Chicago fans.
But it was who he was off the air that those closest to him keep returning to. King was known for staying after games to spend extra time with fans, setting up meetings after the final buzzer for anyone who reached out to him on social media.
Broadcaster Kylen Mills wrote in tribute: "He took photos and signed autographs for every fan who asked. He was friends with every employee, could make anyone laugh. Loved the game. I was blessed to call a few Bulls games with him this season - he couldn't have been kinder."
Those who knew King personally noted that his Christian faith was a foundational part of who he was - something he carried openly and consistently throughout his life, not just in his public profile but in the way he treated the people around him every day.
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said: "Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization's history. We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts and our fans every day."
Team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf added: "Stacey loved being a Bull. He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued. We were fortunate to know him not only as a player and broadcaster, but as a friend."
A man of faith, a champion, a voice. Stacey King was 59 years old. May he rest in peace.
