A cause of death has been revealed for former Chicago Bulls big man Stacey King, who died on June 7 at age 59.
The three-time NBA champion died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, the Cook County Medical Examiner told Us. King’s body was found in his home in River Forest, Illinois.
Hypertensive cardiovascular disease is caused by long-term high blood pressure, and in King’s case, obesity was a contributing factor, the medical examiner confirmed. The manner of his death was ruled natural.
King, who played eight seasons in the NBA, spent his first five with the Bulls and was part of the team’s first threepeat from 1991 to 1993 alongside Michael Jordan.
Jordan, 63, shared a statement with ESPN Chicago after King’s death, saying he was “deeply saddened.”
“We shared some special years together as teammates, and he was part of a group that helped define an era of Chicago Bulls basketball,” the statement read. “My thoughts are with Stacey’s family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched.”
After King retired in 1997, he went into coaching before joining the Bulls’ broadcast team in 2006. He spent 20 years behind the mic, becoming a fan favorite in the process.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement in June. “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.”
Jerry’s son, team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf, recalled at the time how King “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 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.”
Michael continued, “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.”
