The Chicago Bulls family is absolutely shattered — and the pain isn’t letting up. In an emotional moment that has the NBA world buzzing, former Bulls star Horace Grant reportedly broke down in uncontrollable tears while trying to process the sudden death of teammate-turned-broadcaster Stacey King.
Grant Could Barely Speak Through the Tears
Captured in a now-viral clip posted by Ballislife.com, Grant — usually a pillar of composure — was seen burying his face in his hands, his voice cracking as he tried to put his grief into words. According to the footage, Grant struggled to finish his sentences, saying, “This is one of the toughest moments of my being here on earth. To have someone like that close to you pass on. It’s real tough. And I don’t usually cry.”
Sources close to Grant say he was completely blindsided by the news. King, 59, reportedly died after a fall at his home, with officials pronouncing him dead on the morning of June 7. The official cause of death has not been released, but insiders say the Bulls organization is reeling from the loss of a man who was far more than just a former player.
A Bond That Went Beyond the Court
Grant, who currently serves as a special advisor to Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf, was a key part of Chicago’s 1990s dynasty — winning four championships alongside King, who secured three titles from 1991 to 1993 with Michael Jordan. But what fans may not realize is how close the two remained after their playing days ended. According to multiple team insiders, King and Grant regularly spoke by phone, and King had recently been mentoring younger Bulls players behind the scenes.
“Everyone knew Stacey as the funny guy with the great voice on TV,” one team source told us. “But Horace knew him as a brother. They shared something that most people will never understand — the grind, the pressure, the joy of winning it all together. This hits different.”
King, selected by Chicago as the sixth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, immediately made his mark. He played all 82 games as a rookie, averaging 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds off the bench. Over his career, he suited up for the Bulls, Timberwolves, Heat, Celtics, and Mavericks, finishing with averages of 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game across 438 appearances.
More Than a Player — A Voice for a Generation
After retiring, King didn’t disappear. He became an Emmy-winning broadcaster and arguably one of the most recognizable voices around the NBA — the soundtrack to countless Bulls fans’ nights. He even tried his hand at coaching, serving as head coach of the Rockford Lightning in the Continental Basketball Association during the 2001-02 season.
Now, the basketball community is reportedly in mourning. Tributes have poured in from former teammates, rival players, and fans across the league. Some insiders are already speculating that the Bulls will honor King with a special tribute during the upcoming season — perhaps a jersey retirement or a permanent spot in the broadcast booth in his memory.
Grant, meanwhile, is reportedly struggling to come to terms with the loss. “I don’t usually cry,” he said. And according to those who know him best, that’s what makes this so gut-wrenching.
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