Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and longtime broadcaster for the franchise, has died on the age of 59, NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Sunday, June 7.
Charania acknowledged that King, a former No. 6 general decide within the 1989 NBA Draft, handed away after an eight-year enjoying profession that included a number of championship seasons alongside Chicago’s early Nineties title groups.
King entered the NBA as a lottery choice and have become a part of a Bulls roster that outlined one of many league’s most dominant eras. He contributed frontcourt depth throughout Chicago’s first championship run in 1991 and remained a part of the group by the 1993 title season.
Throughout his NBA profession, King performed 438 regular-season video games and averaged 6.4 factors and three.3 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per recreation. His best seasons got here early in Chicago, the place he supplied environment friendly scoring in a rotation position behind the group’s core stars.
Throughout the 1989-90 season, King averaged 8.9 factors on 50.4% taking pictures in 82 video games, setting the tone for his early improvement as a dependable inside contributor. He later moved right into a lowered position because the Bulls developed right into a championship construction constructed round Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
After his time in Chicago, King hung out with Minnesota, Miami, Boston, and Dallas, extending his profession into the late Nineties whereas shifting into veteran depth roles. His remaining NBA season got here in 1996-97.
Past his enjoying profession, King turned a well-recognized voice for Bulls followers, serving as a broadcaster and analyst for the franchise within the years that adopted. His transition from participant to media determine stored him intently linked to the group that outlined his NBA legacy.
King’s post-playing profession helped preserve his presence in Chicago basketball tradition, the place his commentary turned a part of the group’s trendy id. His perspective bridged a number of eras of Bulls basketball, from championship seasons to later rebuilding durations.
His passing marks the top of a profession that spanned each on-court contributions throughout a dynasty and a long time of involvement within the recreation by broadcasting.