Stacey King Dead at 59 — Bulls Champion and Beloved Broadcaster Dies After Fall

The basketball world is in mourning. Stacey King — the three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and one of the most beloved color commentators in the history of the league — has died at the age of 59. He passed away on June 7, 2026, after suffering a fall at his home.

The Chicago Bulls confirmed the news in an official statement. ESPN Chicago's David Kaplan first reported the cause, writing he was "absolutely devastated" by the loss. Shams Charania of ESPN confirmed King's passing to the wider NBA world.

"A member of the Bulls' first three NBA championship teams from 1991-93, Stacey played an important role during one of the most historic eras in franchise history," the Bulls said. "For more than two decades as an Emmy-winning broadcaster, Stacey became a defining voice of Bulls basketball."

This sudden loss is a major story in our Entertainment coverage and has stunned the NBA community on a day already full of emotion.

A Champion on the Court

Stacey King was born on January 29, 1967, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He starred at the University of Oklahoma, earning First Team All-American honours before the Chicago Bulls selected him sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft.

He spent his first five seasons in Chicago — arriving just as the Bulls were building one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. King was a member of all three of Chicago's first championship teams: 1991, 1992, and 1993 — the first three-peat, alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and a cast of Bulls legends. He may not have been a star in those years, but he was part of something historic — and he never forgot what it meant.

After Chicago, King finished his NBA playing career with stints at the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat before retiring in 1997. He then coached in the Continental Basketball Association before finding his true calling.

The Voice of the Bulls

Stacey King joined the Chicago Bulls' broadcasting team as a color analyst and became one of the most popular figures in the franchise's history — not for playing, but for talking.

His energy was unmatched. His catchphrases — most famously his "Gimme the hot sauce!" call — became part of Bulls lore. His enthusiasm for the game, his authenticity, his willingness to call out bad play and celebrate good play with equal passion, made him the kind of broadcaster fans genuinely looked forward to hearing.

Over two decades on the Bulls broadcast, King won an Emmy Award for his work. He was, by every account, a natural — someone who made basketball accessible, fun, and meaningful for fans whether the Bulls were championship contenders or struggling through a rebuild.

His last social media posts — just two days before his death — were about Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs. The game he loved was still his world, right until the end.

The Tributes

The outpouring from the basketball world has been immediate and heartfelt.

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf: "Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization's history. 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. Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better. We will miss him dearly."

David Kaplan (ESPN Chicago): "Absolutely devastated to hear that Stacey King has passed away at the age of 59 after a fall at his home. He made watching the Bulls, no matter good season or bad, so much fun. God bless you, my friend. RIP."

Shams Charania (ESPN): "Stacey King has passed away at 59 years old. A three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls across eight NBA seasons after being the No. 6 pick in the 1989 draft, and a beloved broadcaster for the team in his post-playing career."

Fans on social media described King as "one of the very best and most special broadcasters in the NBA" and said the Bulls broadcast had been "a League Pass staple" because of him.

Key Takeaways

• Stacey King, three-time NBA champion and Chicago Bulls broadcaster, died on June 7, 2026, aged 59, after a fall at his home.
• He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.
• King won three NBA championships with Chicago — 1991, 1992, and 1993 — alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
• After his playing career, he became the Bulls' color commentator for over two decades, winning an Emmy Award for his broadcasting work.
• His last posts on social media were about NBA Finals Game 2 between the Knicks and Spurs — just two days before his death.
• The Bulls, Jerry Reinsdorf, David Kaplan, and Shams Charania all confirmed his passing.
• He is survived by his family.