Chicago lost one of its own this weekend.
Stacey King, the three-time NBA champion who became one of the most beloved voices in Bulls broadcasting history, was found dead at his home in River Forest, Illinois on June 7, 2026. He was 59 years old.
The Bulls confirmed the news on Sunday. No official cause of death has been released, though ESPN Radio’s David Kaplan reported that King died following a fall at his home. The medical examiner’s office indicated that a head autopsy will be needed to determine the exact cause.
If you grew up watching Bulls basketball, you grew up with Stacey King.
He played for the Bulls from 1989 to 1994 and was part of the first three Michael Jordan title runs. He was never the star. He didn’t need to be. He played a role, he showed up, and he won. Three rings is three rings, and most great players never get one.
The broadcast career is what made him a Chicago institution. King joined the Bulls’ television team in 2008 and quickly became a fan favorite for his energy, his catchphrases, and his unmistakable love for the game. He understood that broadcasting Bulls games meant entertaining a city that demands its sports be celebrated, not just covered.
“Too big!” he’d shout after a dunk. “Give me the hot sauce!” Generations of Bulls fans can recite his calls from memory. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens when a broadcaster authentically connects with a fan base over many years.
The tributes have been pouring in from across the league. Former teammates, current Bulls players, and broadcasters from every market shared memories of a man they described as warm, hilarious, and impossible not to like. Scottie Pippen, B.J. Armstrong, and many others spoke about King’s importance both on those championship teams and in the broader Bulls family.
For Chicago basketball, this is a real loss. The Jordan-era Bulls keep getting smaller as the years pass. Each member of those teams who leaves us feels like a piece of the city’s identity going with them.
King leaves behind a legacy that goes way beyond his playing stats. He won championships. He helped raise the next generation of Bulls fans through the screen. He gave people joy. That is a hell of a life.
Rest easy, Stacey. Chicago will miss you loudly.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
