What is happening
Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and longtime broadcaster for the team, died on 5 June 2026 at the age of 59 . According to Yahoo! Sports, the cause of death was a heart attack .
King's death was announced by the Bulls organisation on 7 June, prompting tributes from across the basketball world . The New York Times described him as "the voice, heart and soul of the Bulls" , whilst the Chicago Sun-Times highlighted his ability to entertain and inform audiences during broadcasts .
King had been a fixture in Bulls media for years following his playing career, becoming known for his distinctive catchphrases and enthusiastic commentary style . His broadcasting work made him a familiar voice to a generation of Bulls fans who never saw him play.
Why it matters
King represented a rare continuity between the Bulls' championship era of the 1990s and the modern team. He won three NBA titles as a player during the Bulls' first three-peat from 1991 to 1993, playing alongside Michael Jordan . His subsequent two-decade career as a broadcaster allowed him to connect those glory years to contemporary fans.
Beyond his on-air work, King had deep roots in basketball across multiple levels. The Oklahoman reports he was a standout at the University of Oklahoma before his NBA career , whilst local Illinois outlet MyStateline noted he coached the Rockford Lightning minor league team . This breadth of experience — from college star to NBA champion to coach to broadcaster — made him an unusually well-rounded voice in basketball media.
King's death has resonated internationally, with coverage appearing in outlets as far afield as Argentina's La Nación, which highlighted his three championship rings and his reputation for humour as a commentator . The outpouring reflects both his impact on the Bulls specifically and his wider profile in basketball culture.
Who is involved
Stacey King was born in 1967 and selected by the Bulls in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft after his collegiate career at Oklahoma . He played for Chicago during the franchise's first championship run, serving as a role player on teams headlined by Jordan. Multiple sources confirm he won NBA titles in 1991, 1992, and 1993 .
After his playing days ended, King transitioned to broadcasting, eventually becoming the primary television analyst for Bulls games. The New York Times Athletic describes him as the team's "primary voice and emotional anchor" . He worked alongside play-by-play announcer Mark Schanowski, according to the Sun-Times .
People magazine has published details about King's family, describing his survivors , though specifics about next of kin have not been widely reported in other coverage. The Bulls organisation issued the official announcement of his death and has led public remembrances .
Sam Smith, a longtime Bulls writer, published a personal tribute through the team's official channels, using one of King's signature sign-off phrases — "Drive home safely, Chicago!" — as the headline .
What to watch next
The Bulls are expected to hold memorial events during the upcoming season to honour King's contributions to the franchise. The team has not yet announced specific plans, but such tributes are standard practice when figures of King's stature pass away.
The broadcasting booth that King occupied will need to be filled ahead of the 2026–27 NBA season. How the Bulls choose to replace such a distinctive and beloved voice — or whether they attempt to at all — will be closely watched by fans who associated King's commentary with the team's identity.
King's legacy extends beyond Chicago. His coaching stint with the Rockford Lightning and his collegiate achievements at Oklahoma mean memorial observances may occur in multiple locations. The Basketball Hall of Fame and various basketball historians are likely to reassess King's place in the sport's broadcasting pantheon, particularly given the tributes emphasising his unique style and connection to fans.
The manner of King's death — a heart attack at 59 — may also prompt discussion about health issues facing former professional athletes, though no sources have indicated whether his playing career contributed to underlying conditions.