Michael Jordan broke his silence Monday after news emerged of a former teammate's reported passing on Sunday, June 7. The Chicago Bulls and the basketball community lost a cherished figure when former player turned broadcaster, Stacey King, passed away at the age of 59.

Bulls legend Michael Jordan released an official written statement on Monday, June 8, after the Chicago Bulls announced the tragic news. Jordan shares public messages regarding current events. The message was posted by ESPN Chicago’s X account, @ESPN1000. 

"I'm deeply saddened to learn of Stacey's passing. We shared some special years together as teammates, and he was part of a group that helped define an era of Chicago Bulls basketball. My thoughts are with Stacey's family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched."  

King joined the Chicago Bulls as the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft out of the University of Oklahoma. The two players shared 4 full seasons before Jordan stepped away for his first retirement in 1993. 

During that span, they won three consecutive NBA championships from 1991 to 1993. The young forward accepted his role on the bench behind starters like Bill Cartwright and Horace Grant. 

Fans often point to a famous story from March 1990 that captures his personality. Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in an overtime win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, while his rookie teammate scored one point. 

King later joked that he would always remember the night that he and Jordan combined for 70 points.

However, his overall impact on the game grew far beyond his playing years.

Stacey King Built a Second Legacy After His Championship Years

Following his memorable run in Chicago, the front office traded Stacy King to the Minnesota Timberwolves midway through the 1993-1994 season. He later spent time playing for the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and Dallas Mavericks. 

King also played in other leagues overseas, including in Turkey and Argentina. The power forward finished his NBA career with averages of 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in the 438 games he played. 

He once again returned to the Bulls organization in the mid-2000s, but not as a player. King started as a studio analyst and then became the full-time television commentator for the team. 

His dedication to entertaining the local audience earned him a prestigious Emmy Award. He also co-hosted a very popular podcast called Gimme the Hot Sauce to connect further with his listeners.

While older fans first knew him as a key piece of the original title run, younger generations knew him as the loyal voice that stayed through all the years. 

Do you have any favorite memories of Stacey King's legendary broadcast calls? Let us know in th e comments section.

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles! 

Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Surjo Ray