Sport3 min(s) read
Published 15:32 08 Jun 2026 GMT
Chicago Bulls great Stacey King has died at the age of 59, with new details emerging about the circumstances surrounding his death.
King, who spent decades as both a player and broadcaster for the Bulls organization, died on Sunday. While an official cause of death has not yet been confirmed, ESPN Chicago's David Kaplan reported that the former NBA star died following a fall at his home.
"Absolutely devastated to hear that Stacey King has passed away at the age of 59 after a fall at his home," Kaplan wrote on X. "He made watching the Bulls, no matter good season or bad so much fun. God bless you, my friend. RIP."
Medical examiners said King was found at his home in River Forest, Illinois, according to ABC Chicago. The outlet reported that a head autopsy is needed to confirm the cause of death.
King's longtime friend Ike White said he had recently spoken with the former player and that the pair had plans for the summer.
"Not too long ago, I talked to him, and we had made plans for the summer. We were gonna go have shrimp and just have a good summer," White told ABC Chicago.
He added: "Then, this morning, I was driving, and his son called and told me that Stacey had passed. And that was totally unexpected. Friends 30 years, and just like that, unexpected. It’s shocking. I’m hurting… Just to see his son crying like that, and there’s nothing you can do."
The news sent shockwaves through the basketball community, where King remained a familiar and popular figure long after his playing days ended.
The Bulls selected King with the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma.
He played for Chicago until 1994 and was a member of the franchise's first three consecutive NBA championship teams alongside Michael Jordan.
After spending two more seasons in the NBA, King later moved into coaching before returning to the Bulls organization in a broadcasting role. He joined the team's broadcast crew in 2006 and became the lead color commentator the following year, a position he held until his death.
Over the years, King became known to generations of Bulls fans both for his contributions on the court and for his energetic presence behind the microphone.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf released a statement following King's death, describing him as one of the organization's most recognizable personalities.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history,” Reinsdorf said. “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… We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor and passion that he brought to our organization, our broadcasts, and our fans every day.”
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