Stacey King

Stacey King was an American professional basketball player, coach, and beloved sports commentator. He won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1991, 1992, and 1993, playing alongside Michael Jordan. At the University of Oklahoma, he was named national player of the year in 1989 after leading the Sooners to the NCAA championship game. After his playing career, King became the color commentator for Bulls television broadcasts from 2006 until his death, calling over 1,000 games with his signature humor and catchphrase "Stacey King's got a new pair of shoes!" He died on June 7, 2026, in River Forest, Illinois, at age 59. [edit]

Ronald Stacey King was born on January 29, 1967, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to parents who originally hailed from Chicago. His father's job moved the family to Raleigh, North Carolina, when King was 10 years old, but he returned to Lawton for high school. At Lawton High School, he averaged 18.4 points and 8 rebounds as a senior, drawing moderate college interest.

King enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 1985. He averaged just six points as a freshman and seven as a sophomore. After the 1987 NCAA tournament, where the Sooners lost to Iowa, King grew frustrated with limited minutes in the closing game and considered transferring. Academic advisor Rick Pryor, head coach Billy Tubbs, and his parents convinced him to stay. That summer, King worked construction at Remington Park racetrack before deciding to fully commit to basketball.

His dedication paid off. As a senior in 1989, King averaged 22.3 points and 9.1 rebounds, leading Oklahoma to the NCAA championship game, where they lost to Michigan. He was named a First Team All-American and the national player of the year. The Chicago Bulls selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft. [edit]

King played all 82 games as a rookie, averaging 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds off the bench behind Bill Cartwright. His most iconic moment came in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals against the Lakers, when he scored 10 points in 11 minutes during a pivotal stretch, helping the Bulls secure their first championship. He won two more titles with Chicago in 1992 and 1993.

After the 1993–94 season, King was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he averaged career highs of 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 1994–95. He later played for the Miami Heat, and spent time in the CBA with the Grand Rapids Hoops and Sioux Falls Skyforce before brief stints with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. Over eight NBA seasons, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 438 games.

King coached the Rockford Lightning in the CBA for the 2001–02 season. In 2006, he became the Bulls' color commentator, a role he held for two decades. He won an Emmy for his broadcasting work and became a fan favorite for his energetic, insightful style alongside Neil Funk and later Adam Amin. [edit]

King was beloved by Bulls fans as both a player and broadcaster. He was known for his humor, energy, and candor, often breaking down plays with infectious enthusiasm. His broadcasting style connected generations of fans, from those who remembered his playing days to younger viewers who knew him only as the voice of the Bulls. Jerry Reinsdorf called him "one of the truly unique personalities in our organization's history." King's legacy is that of a player who won championships and then spent two decades bringing the game to life for millions. [edit]

Stacey King commanded a global audience defined not by viral spikes but by the enduring, steady resonance of three NBA championships and two decades of broadcasting. His presence reached across generations, connecting those who watched his playing days in the 1990s with younger viewers who grew up listening to his commentary. Despite this widespread recognition within sports culture, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). The fanbase has no formal name, characterized instead by the general Chicago sports community rather than a distinct sub-group with a unique moniker. Unlike pop stars with dedicated 'stan' communities, King's supporters are united by a shared history with the Bulls franchise. Following his death in June 2026, this organic connection manifested in immediate tributes, such as the passion project mural in Logan Square created by artist Darius Dennis. His legacy is further cemented by the cultural mythology surrounding him as the ultimate 'good guy' of the Jordan era. A widely retold story from August 2026 highlights how former teammate Horace Grant utilized King's passing to publicly plead for reconciliation between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, framing King as the emotional heart and moral glue of the dynasty. This narrative reinforces his status as a beloved figure whose influence extended far beyond the court, humanizing the championship era through his accessibility and humility.[edit]

King's nickname was "Sky" or "Pearl," and he shot left-handed while playing both power forward and center. During his rookie season, he famously scored a career-high 31 points against the Houston Rockets on November 29, 1989. He made a cameo appearance in the 1996 film Space Jam as a member of the Monstars and also appeared in the TV show The League. His catchphrase "Stacey King's got a new pair of shoes!" became a staple of Bulls broadcasts, often exclaimed when a player made a spectacular play. Fans still retell the story of how King served as the bridge between teammates, a role that culminated in a public plea for reconciliation after his death when Horace Grant asked Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to mend their rift. King was remembered for his distinctive laugh and self-deprecating humor, which endeared him to fans even when he was merely a backup player. His transition from a bench warmer to a respected voice in the media never seemed to go to his head, and his final days were marked by a Celebration of Life hosted by the Chicago Bulls in August 2026 where teammates and fans gathered to honor his character.[edit]

King's parents were from Chicago, and his father's job transferred the family to Raleigh, North Carolina, when he was 10. He had a close relationship with his parents, who supported his basketball career. No information about siblings, a spouse, or children has been publicly documented. At the time of his death, King lived in River Forest, Illinois. [edit]

King's most famous teammate was Michael Jordan, with whom he won three championships. He worked alongside broadcasters Neil Funk and Adam Amin for nearly two decades. His college coach Billy Tubbs and advisor Rick Pryor were instrumental in his development. Bulls ownership, including Jerry Reinsdorf and Michael Reinsdorf, praised his contributions to the organization. [edit]

No publicly documented romantic relationships have been reported in credible sources. King kept his personal life private, and no information about spouses, partners, or children is available. [edit]

Ronald Stacey King, the former Chicago Bulls center and longtime broadcaster, died on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 59. While initial reports from the organization and ESPN offered no specific cause, a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office established the official ruling on August 4, 2026, citing hypertensive cardiovascular disease resulting from long-term high blood pressure. The determination relied on a coroner's investigation rather than a public autopsy or inquest. The NBA family and Chicago Bulls organization immediately mourned the loss, issuing statements that highlighted his status as a three-time champion and beloved voice. Tributes poured in quickly, including a dedicated YouTube video titled "The Last Episode: Our Tribute to a dear friend & Bulls Legend" produced by his own podcast, Gimme The Hot Sauce.

Former teammate Sam Smith released a statement recalling King's signature sign-off, "Drive home safely, Chicago!" By August 2026, the public reaction expanded into visual memorials when new murals were unveiled in Chicago honoring King alongside local legends Caleb Williams and John Prine. These works, located in Logan Square, were described as a passion project for artist Darius Dennis, who grew up watching King during the dynasty years. No details regarding the date, time, or location of a private funeral or burial service were made public. No films, books, or hall-of-fame inductions have been announced as of the latest reporting, leaving the tribute mural as the primary physical dedication.[edit]

No reliable net worth estimate is available from public sources. King's income came from his NBA playing career, brief coaching stint, and two decades as a Bulls broadcaster. As a player, he earned approximately $10 million in salary over eight seasons. His broadcasting role likely provided a steady income, though specific figures were not disclosed. At the time of his death, his estate's value remains private. [edit]

King was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1990 and won an Emmy for his broadcasting work. In college, he was a First Team AP All-American and the National Player of the Year in 1989. [edit]