Stacey King, a big man during the first Bulls three-peat in the early 1990s who became a beloved game analyst for the team’s television broadcasts, died Sunday, the team announced (all times US).
He was 59. A cause of death was not disclosed.
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“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organisation’s history,” owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.
“His connection to Chicago, the Bulls and our fans spanned more than three decades — first as a player and later as the unmistakeable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans. We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humour, candour and passion he brought to our organisation, broadcasts and our fans every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
The Bulls selected King with the No. 6 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma — where he was a consensus All-American as a senior — and he was a key reserve in Chicago for four-plus seasons, winning three straight NBA championships from 1991-93 during the first half of the Michael Jordan dynasty.
He averaged 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 344 regular-season games with the Bulls, and 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 60 playoff games.
King was traded to the Timberwolves for Luc Longley in February 1994 and later played for the Heat, Celtics and Mavericks.
After a brief coaching career, King went into broadcasting in 2006 and joined the Bulls booth in 2007.
Some of his signature phrases included “Gimme the hot sauce!” and “Sriracha!”
“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,” Reinsdorf’s son Michael, the team’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
“He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. He brought an energy and love for the game that came through in every broadcast, helping fans feel connected to our team. Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued.”
-This story was originally published in The New York Post and reproduced with permission.