NBA legend Stacey King died from a heart disease caused by high blood pressure at his home in Chicago, it has been revealed.
King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and beloved TV broadcaster for the franchise, passed away at the age of 59 on June 7, with his death sending shockwaves across the sporting world.
Shortly after the heartbreaking announcement, ESPN Chicago’s David Kaplan reported that the Bulls great had died after a ‘fall at his home’ in the suburb of River Forest.
Yet according to the California Post, a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has revealed that King died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease – which is caused by long-term high blood pressure.
Obesity is also said to be a factor in the disease and the manner of his passing was natural, the spokesperson added.
King was a foundational piece of the Bulls’ 1990s dominance, entering the NBA as the sixth overall pick in the 1989 Draft. He stayed with the franchise during their most dominant period, before joining the Minnesota Timberwolves from the 1993–94 campaign.
NBA legend Stacey King died from a heart disease caused by high blood pressure on June 7
King (21) won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls alongside teammate Michael Jordan
The Oklahoma-born star played eight seasons in the league, anchoring the paint alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the Bulls’ historic 1991, 1992 and 1993 championship runs.
While his playing career cemented his place in Chicago folklore, King later found a new generation of fans in his post-playing career – as a commentator for Bulls TV broadcasts.
Tributes quickly poured in from devastated fans online, who mourned the tragic loss of a team icon.
In a statement, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said: ‘Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history.
‘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.
‘We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor, and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts, and our fans every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.’
While his playing career cemented his place in Chicago folklore, he found a new generation of fans in his post-playing career as a commentator for Bulls TV broadcasts
Meanwhile, team president and COO Michael Reinsdorf said: ‘Stacey loved being a Bull. You could feel it in everything he did – the way he played, the way he called games, and the way he connected with our fans.
‘He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation, or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued.
‘We were fortunate to know him not only as a player and broadcaster, but as a friend. Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better.
‘We will miss him dearly, and his impact, memory and legacy will remain a part of the Chicago Bulls forever.’
