DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

'Cherished' Bulls player and ex-Michael Jordan teammate dies

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Chicago Bulls NBA Championship winner Stacey King has died at age 59.
  • King won three NBA titles in the 1990s and later became a prominent broadcaster for the team.
  • He is remembered for his connection to the Bulls family and his ability to engage fans across generations.

Stacey King, a beloved figure in Chicago sports and a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, has died at the age of 59. King's passing was announced on Monday, June 8, 2026, though a cause of death was not immediately provided.

Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organisation's history.

— Jerry ReinsdorfBulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's statement remembering Stacey King.

King was a significant part of the Bulls' dynasty in the 1990s, winning NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan. Drafted sixth overall in 1989, he played for the Bulls from 1989 to 1997, averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He also had stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Boston Celtics.

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.

— Jerry ReinsdorfBulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's statement highlighting King's long-standing relationship with the team and its fanbase.

Beyond his playing career, King transitioned into broadcasting, joining the Bulls' broadcast team in 2006 as a studio analyst and later becoming a color commentator in 2008. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf remembered King as a "cherished member" of the Bulls family, highlighting his decades-long connection to the team and its fans through both his playing and broadcasting.

Stacey had a unique ability to connect generations of Bulls fans.

— Michael McCarthyChicago Sports Network president and chief executive Michael McCarthy on King's impact.

Michael McCarthy, president and chief executive of the Chicago Sports Network, described King as "one of the most beloved figures in Chicago sports," noting his unique ability to connect with fans through his insight, humor, and memorable calls. King's legacy extends beyond his statistics, encompassing his impact on generations of Bulls supporters.

Whether through his basketball insight, his humour, or his unforgettable calls, he made every game more enjoyable and every broadcast better.

— Michael McCarthyChicago Sports Network president and chief executive Michael McCarthy on King's broadcasting skills.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog