Stacey King Remembered
Former Chicago Bulls Champion and Broadcaster Stacey King Dies, Michael Jordan Expresses Sadness
Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion and beloved Chicago Bulls broadcaster, died Sunday at age 59 following a fall at his home, according to CBS Chicago. The Bulls confirmed his passing at 1:18 PM CDT. Michael Jordan, who won all three of those titles alongside King, is reported to be saddened by the loss of his former teammate.
King spent more than three decades connected to the Bulls organization — first as a player from 1989 to 1994, then as a color analyst on Bulls television broadcasts starting in 2007, according to Daily Herald. He was 59 years old.
From Lottery Pick to Championship Role Player
King was selected 6th overall by the Bulls in the 1989 NBA Draft after an All-American career at the University of Oklahoma, according to CBS Chicago. He was a reserve forward and center who played a supporting role during Chicago's first championship run. His career averages were modest — 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game across 438 regular-season games — but his teammates valued his toughness.
King was part of the "Bench Mob" that backed Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the 1991, 1992, and 1993 title runs, according to Fox Sports. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 1994 and retired from playing in 1997 after stints with the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Dallas Mavericks.
King's Voice Became Chicago's Soundtrack for 20 Years
After retiring, King moved into broadcasting and joined the Bulls' TV booth as a color analyst in 2007, according to Daily Herald. He became one of the most recognizable voices in Chicago sports. Fans loved his high-energy catchphrases, including "Gimme the hot sauce!" and "Did you not get the memo?" His energy made every game feel like an event.
King partnered with play-by-play announcer Adam Amin starting in 2020. Their chemistry was considered among the best local broadcast duos in the NBA, according to Fox Sports. King won an Emmy Award for his work and was the lead color analyst for the Chicago Sports Network at the time of his death.
Bulls Organization Mourns a 30-Year Family Member
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called King "a cherished member of the Bulls family" whose "connection to Chicago, the Bulls, and our fans spanned more than three decades," according to CBS Chicago. Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf added that King "had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal."
In January 2025, King was inducted into the team's "Hall of Legends" alongside former champion Horace Grant, according to Daily Herald. The Bulls said a formal tribute for the 2026–27 season, possibly including a memorial patch, is under discussion.
King's Legacy Reaches Beyond the Broadcast Booth
King hosted a podcast called "Gimme the Hot Sauce" and even launched a hot sauce product line that supported local Chicago community initiatives, according to Fox Sports. The future of those projects is now under discussion following his sudden death. His community work made him a figure who mattered far beyond basketball.
Analysts noted that King served as one of the last living bridges between the 1990s Bulls dynasty and today's fans. ESPN Chicago reporter David Kaplan first confirmed that the cause of death was a fall at King's home, according to The Big Lead. King is survived by the city of Chicago, which knew his voice better than almost anyone's.
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