Stacey King, an Oklahoma native and former University of Oklahoma men’s basketball All‑American, has died at the age of 59. The news was confirmed by multiple sources, marking the end of a career that spanned college stardom, three NBA championships and a later life as a broadcaster for the Chicago Bulls.
A Legendary Legacy
King’s college tenure from 1985 to 1989 saw the Sooners compile a 115‑29 record, capture two regular‑season Big Eight titles and a tournament crown, and advance to the 1988 NCAA Championship Game. He was a key member of teams that reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1987 and 1989, and he finished his Oklahoma career as the program’s sixth‑all‑time leading scorer.
Selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, King went on to win three titles with the franchise between 1991 and 1993. After an eight‑year NBA stint that also included stops in Minnesota, Miami, Boston and Dallas, he transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he now provides analysis for Bulls games.
In January 2008, the university honored King by hanging his No. 33 jersey in the rafters of the Lloyd Noble Center, a testament to his lasting impact on OU basketball. Coach Porter Moser recently described him as “a true Oklahoma legend and one of the most accomplished players in OU men’s basketball history.”
Beyond the trophies, King’s story reflects a broader narrative of Oklahoma’s basketball heritage, a lineage that stretches from the high‑octane teams of the 1980s to the modern era. His contributions continue to inspire players, coaches and fans across the state.