The sports world was rocked Sunday after former NBA star and beloved Chicago Bulls broadcaster Stacey King died suddenly at the age of 59.
King, who won three championships alongside Michael Jordan during the Bulls’ legendary 1990s dynasty, reportedly died after a fall at his home in River Forest, Illinois.
ESPN Chicago’s David Kaplan shared the heartbreaking detail in a post on X, writing that he was “absolutely devastated” to learn King had died “after a fall at his home.”
“He made watching the Bulls, no matter good season or bad, so much fun,” Kaplan wrote. “God bless you, my friend. RIP.”
However, officials have not yet confirmed King’s official cause of death. ABC Chicago reported that a head autopsy is needed before a final determination can be made.
King’s death sent shockwaves through the NBA community and left longtime friends, fans and colleagues stunned.
His friend Ike White told ABC Chicago that he had recently spoken with King and the two had been making 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 said.
Then came the devastating phone call.
“This morning, I was driving, and his son called and told me that Stacey had passed,” White said. “And that was totally unexpected. Friends 30 years, and just like that, unexpected. It’s shocking. I’m hurting.”
White said seeing King’s son in pain made the loss even harder.
“Just to see his son crying like that, and there’s nothing you can do,” he said.
King was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1989 and became part of one of the most iconic teams in NBA history.
Wearing No. 21, he helped the Bulls win three straight NBA championships from 1991 to 1993, playing alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the powerhouse roster that turned Chicago into the center of the basketball universe.
King played for the Bulls until 1994 and later spent time with several other teams before his NBA playing career ended in 1997.
But for many fans, King’s second act became just as memorable as his first.
After a brief coaching stint, he joined the Bulls’ broadcast team as a color commentator in 2006. Over the next two decades, King became one of the most recognizable voices in Chicago sports.
His booming calls, quick humor and larger-than-life personality made him a fan favorite, even during years when the Bulls struggled on the court.
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf paid tribute to King in an emotional statement, calling him “a cherished member of the Bulls family” and “one of the truly unique personalities” in the organization’s history.
“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,” Reinsdorf said.
He added that King brought “joy, energy, humor, candor and passion” to the organization every day.
“We will miss him deeply,” Reinsdorf said.
King’s sudden death marks a heartbreaking loss for the Bulls, the city of Chicago and generations of fans who knew him not only as a champion, but as the unforgettable voice of their team.