Stacey King, Longtime TV Voice Of The Bulls, Dies At 59. Here Are Some Of His Greatest Calls
CHICAGO — Stacey King, who in his playing career won three championships with the Bulls and in retirement provided memorable commentary for some of the franchise’s recent highlights, died Sunday, the team announced. He was 59.
King served as the Bulls television color commentator for over two decades following an NBA career that saw him win championships from 1991-93, the first of the Bulls’ two three-peats that decade.
In his television career, King became a fan favorite for his humorous and witty commentary. His comments punctuated many highlights during the Derrick Rose-led Bulls, which saw the team compete for the Eastern Conference title early in the superstar point guard’s career.
Serving many years alongside the now-retired play-by-play announcer Neil Funk, King coined memorable catchphrases including “Gimme the hot sauce,” “mouse in the house, free cheese!” and “drive home safely, Chicago, beep beep!” which he would say towards the end of Bulls’ victories.
“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. “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.”
Tributes have been pouring in since King’s death was announced Sunday, including from many fans recounting some of his most memorable television calls.
Here are some of King’s best announcer moments.
‘I Want To Go Higher’
The best call Stacey King ever gave.
Derrick Rose’s poster on Goran Dragić
“I want to go higher. Do you not know who this kid is. He is from Chicago.” pic.twitter.com/IkYnLr8sjF
— Dave (@davebftv) June 7, 2026
Most of Rose’s career highlights were soundtracked by an ecstatic King, who at times could not contain his excitement over the All Star’s feats of athleticism. Perhaps no call was more emblematic of the pair’s time together than Rose’s dunk over the Phoenix Suns’ Goran Dragić, with King excoriating Dragic for challenging Rose at the rim before saying “I want to go higher.”
‘Let Me Step Back And Kiss Myself’
Another Rose highlight begat another King classic. Barely a moment after Rose made a step-back jump shot to win the game against the Milwaukee Bucks, King belted out: “Let me step back and kiss myself.” He also managed a reference to one of his popular nicknames for Bulls players when he referred to Rose as the “Windy City assassin.”
Jimmy G Buckets
Perhaps his best player nickname was reserved for Jimmy Butler, the former Bulls star whom King coined “Jimmy G. Buckets.” What does the “G” stand for? Allow King to explain:
‘Elizabeth!’
King didn’t forget his older viewers and could reach into the past for a classic reference. Case in point: King’s remarks after a Josh Giddey half-court game winner in which the announcer excitedly says “Elizabeth, I’m coming baby. Aw lawd” — an homage to the 1970s show “Sanford and Son.”
‘Does Anybody Know How To Post Videos To Facebook?’
Another classic King call. Here King doesn’t miss a beat and follows a Taj Gibson thunderous dunk by asking the timeless question: “Does anybody know how to post videos to Facebook?” It’s presumably a reference to a “poster” dunk and/or a highlight video, and it’s pure King at his best.
Here are more of King’s career highlights as a broadcaster:
