Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and longtime broadcaster for the franchise, has died at the age of 59, NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Sunday, June 7.
Charania stated that King, a former No. 6 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, passed away after an eight-year playing career that included multiple championship seasons alongside Chicago’s early 1990s title teams.
King entered the NBA as a lottery selection and became part of a Bulls roster that defined one of the league’s most dominant eras. He contributed frontcourt depth during Chicago’s first championship run in 1991 and remained part of the organization through the 1993 title season.
Across his NBA career, King played 438 regular-season games and averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game. His most productive seasons came early in Chicago, where he provided efficient scoring in a rotation role behind the team’s core stars.
During the 1989-90 season, King averaged 8.9 points on 50.4% shooting in 82 games, setting the tone for his early development as a reliable interior contributor. He later moved into a reduced role as the Bulls evolved into a championship structure built around Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
After his time in Chicago, King spent time with Minnesota, Miami, Boston, and Dallas, extending his career into the late 1990s while shifting into veteran depth roles. His final NBA season came in 1996-97.
Beyond his playing career, King became a familiar voice for Bulls fans, serving as a broadcaster and analyst for the franchise in the years that followed. His transition from player to media figure kept him closely connected to the organization that defined his NBA legacy.
King’s post-playing career helped maintain his presence in Chicago basketball culture, where his commentary became part of the team’s modern identity. His perspective bridged multiple eras of Bulls basketball, from championship seasons to later rebuilding periods.
His passing marks the end of a career that spanned both on-court contributions during a dynasty and decades of involvement in the game through broadcasting.
