The Chicago Bulls lost a legend this summer as Stacey King, who went from being a contributor to the first three of their six NBA titles in the 1990s to a TV commentator for two decades, passed away at the age of 59. It's taken some time but we now know what caused his tragic passing.
According to the New York Post, a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has stated that King's death was caused by hypertensive cardiovascular disease brought on by long-term high blood pressure. The spokesperson stated that his death was considered natural and that obesity is a contributing factor.
King passed away on June 7 at his Illinois home.
Tributes
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and CEO Michael Reinsdorf both released statements expressing how much they appreciated King and all he did for the organization.
“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," Jerry Reinsdorf said on King's passing.
“Stacey loved being a Bull,” Michael Reinsdorf said. “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. 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.”
King was a first-round pick by the Bulls in the 1989 NBA Draft and enjoyed 4.5 seasons with the team, mostly as a bench player. One of his most notable contributions to the team was a 15-point performance in Game 6 of the 1992 NBA Finals to help the team secure the championship.
Our hearts go out to King's family and loved ones.
