A television voice that defined Chicago Bulls basketball for a generation has been silenced. Stacey King, who won three NBA championships with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen before becoming a beloved broadcaster, died on June 7, 2026, at age 59 following a fall at his home.
NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed King’s death on the afternoon of June 7, 2026, with the announcement coming through the Chicago Bulls organization and sending shockwaves through a basketball community that had embraced him across two distinct careers.
King’s broadcasting work may have ultimately reached more fans than his playing days ever did. His theatrical calls, booming voice and penchant for giving players nicknames made him appointment viewing on Bulls television telecasts, connecting generations of fans who never saw him play to the franchise’s championship legacy.
An official statement noted that King was an energetic commentator on local Bulls telecasts who often gave players nicknames over the years, following his time on three Bulls championship teams in the 1990s.
From Oklahoma to Championship Glory
Ronald Stacey King was born on January 29, 1967, in Lawton, Oklahoma, and developed into a 6-foot-11, 230-pound left-handed big man nicknamed “Sky” and “Pearl.” Following standout performances at Lawton High School and the University of Oklahoma, Chicago selected him sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft.
His NBA debut came on November 3, 1989, launching a rookie season in which he appeared in all 82 games while averaging 8.9 points and earning All-Rookie honors. Though Phil Jackson’s rotation increasingly centered on Jordan and Pippen, King remained a reliable contributor throughout the Bulls’ first three-peat, collecting rings in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
During the 1991-92 title run, King posted his statistical peak in Chicago with 7.0 points across 79 games. He followed with 76 appearances in the 1992-93 championship season. Over five seasons in Chicago, he logged 344 games out of a total 438 regular-season appearances across his entire career.
Final Playing Years Across the League
King’s time with the Bulls ended during the 1993-94 campaign when he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves after 31 games. His role expanded significantly in Minnesota, where he averaged 11.8 points — his career high — across 18 games that season while playing nearly 29 minutes nightly.
He remained with the Timberwolves through 1994-95, appearing in 50 games at 5.3 points per contest. The Miami Heat signed him for 1995-96, where he played 15 games. His playing career concluded in 1996-97 with five games for the Boston Celtics and six for the Dallas Mavericks.
Across eight NBA seasons, King compiled averages of 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field and 70.7% from the free throw line, according to career totals. But the three championship rings from Chicago’s dynasty years secured his legacy beyond the statistics.
Broadcasting Career Eclipsed Playing Fame
Rather than fading into retirement, King launched a second act that brought him wider recognition than his playing days. He became a fixture on Bulls broadcasts, where his enthusiasm and colorful commentary often outshone the team’s performance during rebuilding years.
For fans who never witnessed the Jordan era, King served as the franchise’s connective tissue between championship banners and the present, making even routine regular-season games feel significant. His energy behind the microphone introduced him to a new generation that knew him exclusively as the voice of Bulls basketball.
The heartbreaking news prompted an immediate outpouring on social platforms, with former teammates, broadcast colleagues and fans sharing memories of King’s signature calls and infectious laugh.
King leaves behind a legacy as one of the rare athletes whose post-playing career deepened rather than replaced the affection earned during his championship years.
