Cause of Death Revealed for Former Chicago Bulls Player Stacey King After Being Found in Family Home Stacey King, the former Chicago Bulls center who died on June 7 at the age of 59, was found in his home in River Forest, Illinois. The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed his cause of death as hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a condition linked to long-term high blood pressure. Obesity was identified as a contributing factor in his case, though the death was ruled natural with no indication of foul play. King, a three-time NBA champion, played eight seasons in the league, with his first five years spent with the Bulls. He was a key member of the team’s historic threepeat from 1991 to 1993, a period that included iconic moments alongside Michael Jordan. The Bulls’ success during that era solidified King’s legacy as part of one of the most celebrated periods in NBA history. Jordan, now 63, expressed deep sorrow over King’s passing, stating in a statement to ESPN Chicago that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss. Jordan highlighted the shared years they spent as teammates and the impact King had on defining an era of Bulls basketball. After retiring in 1997, King transitioned into coaching before joining the Bulls’ broadcast team in 2006. He spent over two decades as a commentator, becoming a beloved figure among fans for his passionate and engaging style. His work behind the microphone allowed him to remain deeply connected to the team and its supporters, bridging the gap between the players and the audience. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf praised King’s enduring connection to the organization, calling him “a cherished member of the Bulls family” and noting his role as “the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans.#michael_jordan #chicago_bulls #jerry_reinsdorf #stacey_king #river_forest_illinois
Chicago Bulls Legend Stacey King’s Cause of Death Revealed Stacey King, the three-time NBA champion and beloved Chicago Bulls broadcaster, died on June 7 at his home in River Forest, Ill., according to a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death was determined to be hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a condition linked to long-term high blood pressure. Obesity was noted as a contributing factor, though the manner of death was classified as natural. King, who was 59 years old, had been a fixture in Bulls history both as a player and a broadcaster. King’s NBA career began in 1989 when he was selected with the sixth overall pick in the draft. He joined the Bulls alongside Michael Jordan, forming a formidable power forward presence. Over his first four seasons with the team, King won three championships, cementing his legacy as a key member of the 1990s Bulls dynasty. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches and weighing 230 pounds, his physicality and skill on the court made him a standout player. His time with the Bulls ended in 1994 when he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a deal that also involved Luc Longley. King continued to play in the league until 1997, logging minutes for the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Boston Celtics. Despite the trade, his connection to the Bulls remained strong, and he later became a staple of the team’s broadcast booth. After retiring from playing, King transitioned into broadcasting, where he quickly became a fan favorite. Known for his energetic personality and catchphrases like “gimme the hot sauce!” and “sriracha!”, he brought a unique blend of humor and insight to the Bulls’ broadcasts.#chicago_bulls #jerry_reinsdorf #stacey_king #river_forest #cook_county_medical_examiner
Stacey King, Chicago Bulls Legend and 3-Time NBA Champion, Dies at 59 Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and a beloved figure in the organization’s history, has died at the age of 59, the team announced on Sunday. The news came after King was found dead at his River Forest home, with an autopsy pending to determine the cause of death. Multiple reports indicated he fell at the scene, though details remain unclear. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, teammates, and colleagues, who remember him as a cornerstone of the Bulls’ legacy both on and off the court. Bulls Owner and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf described King as “a cherished member of the Bulls family” and highlighted his enduring connection to the team and its fans. “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 in a statement. The Bulls’ tribute emphasized King’s role as a broadcaster, whose energetic and candid style made him a fan favorite. King’s friend, Ike White, shared a poignant account of his sudden loss. The two had been close for 30 years, and White expressed disbelief at the news. “We were gonna go have shrimp and just have a good summer,” he said, recalling their plans. “Then, this morning, I was driving, and his son called and told me that Stacey had passed. And that was totally unexpected.” White described King as a man who always wore a smile and loved the Bulls and Chicago, but now his voice and presence are gone. “Anytime I talked to him, we ended with ‘I love you’ and not to be able to say that anymore that hurts,” White added. The legacy of Stacey King extends far beyond his playing days.#chicago_bulls #jerry_reinsdorf #michael_reinsdorf #stacey_king #ike_white
Stacey King, 3-time NBA champion with Bulls, dies at 59 - ESPN Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls who became an Emmy-winning fan favorite on their broadcast team after his playing career, has died at the age of 59, the team announced Sunday. No cause of death was provided. The Chicago Bulls expressed deep sorrow over the passing of King, who was a key figure in the organization's history. Bulls owner and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf described King as a "cherished member of the Bulls family" and highlighted his enduring connection to the team and its fans. Reinsdorf noted that King's influence spanned over three decades, beginning as a player and later as the team's iconic voice on broadcasts. "His joy, energy, humor, candor, and passion brought generations of fans together," Reinsdorf said. King, a 6-foot-11 forward/center, played eight seasons in the NBA, including stints with the Timberwolves, Heat, Celtics, and Mavericks. His most successful period came with the Bulls, where he was a vital part of the team's three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993. Drafted sixth overall in 1989 from Oklahoma, King made an immediate impact as a rookie, averaging 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds while playing alongside Michael Jordan. Team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf praised King's ability to connect with fans and his unique talent for making every game feel personal. "Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better," Reinsdorf said. "His impact, memory, and legacy will remain part of the Chicago Bulls forever." After retiring from playing, King transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a beloved commentator for the Bulls.#oklahoma #chicago_bulls #stacey_king #jerry_reinsdorf #michael_reinsdorf
