The basketball world mourned the loss of Stacey King on Sunday, when the former Oklahoma Sooners star and three‑time NBA champion died at 59. King’s name resonated far beyond his playing days, echoing through the Chicago Bulls’ championship eras and the college courts where he first made his mark.
At Oklahoma, King blossomed into a dominant force, earning consensus first‑team All‑American honors in 1989 after averaging 26 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. His senior season garnered the Big 8 Player of the Year award and the Sporting News College Player of the Year distinction, leading to his jersey No. 33 being retired in the Lloyd Noble Center rafters two years later.
Selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, King contributed to three consecutive titles from 1991 through 1993, albeit as a reserve. Over eight NBA seasons he posted career averages of 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds, while also playing professionally abroad in Turkey and Argentina before returning to coach in the CBA, where he earned Coach of the Year honors in 2001.
A Voice That Defined a Generation
After hanging up his playing shoes, King transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a staple on Bulls telecasts for two decades. His boisterous reactions, memorable catchphrases and larger‑than‑life personality made him a defining voice of Bulls basketball, a presence the franchise described as inseparable from the team’s identity.
Beyond the Court
King’s professional journey also included stints as a studio analyst and color commentator, where his unique blend of humor and insight connected with fans across generations. His ties to Chicago, the Bulls organization, and the broader basketball community endured for more than thirty years, leaving an indelible imprint on the sport.