American · Lawton, Oklahoma, USA · Born 29 January 1967 · Died 2026-06-07Oklahoma center who led the Sooners to the 1988 national championship game and swept national player of the year honors as a senior, before winning three NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan.
Ronald Stacey King was born on 29 January 1967 in Lawton, Oklahoma, and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 1985 under coach Billy Tubbs, initially in a limited bench role that left him contemplating a transfer after his sophomore year. Convinced to stay by his academic advisor, coach, and parents, King transformed his career, becoming a starter as a junior in the fast-paced Oklahoma offense. King's junior season saw him average 22.3 points and 8.5 rebounds as Oklahoma reached its first Final Four since 1947, finishing the year 35-4 before losing to Kansas in the 1988 national championship game, where he scored 17 points despite the defeat. He returned for his senior year and elevated his game further, averaging a nation-leading 26.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game on 52.3% shooting, leading the Big Eight in both scoring and blocks. As a senior, King swept the Big Eight Player of the Year award and The Sporting News National Player of the Year honor, earning consensus first-team All-American recognition. He finished his Oklahoma career as the program's sixth all-time leading scorer with 2,008 points and the Big Eight's career shot-blocking leader with 228 rejections, helping the Sooners to a combined 115-29 record across his four seasons, including consecutive Big Eight regular season titles. King was selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, where he won three consecutive championships alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen from 1991-93, before a lengthy career as the Bulls' beloved television analyst. His No. 33 jersey was retired by Oklahoma in 2008. King died on 7 June 2026 at age 59.
Leading Oklahoma to the 1988 national championship game and sweeping national player of the year honors as a senior, before winning three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls
How They Played
Left-handed center known for a smooth scoring touch, shot-blocking instincts, and the ability to dominate both ends of the floor in an up-tempo offense
Lasting Impact
Remembered as one of the greatest players in Oklahoma basketball history and, in his post-playing years, one of the most beloved figures in Chicago Bulls broadcasting, blending on-court excellence with a warm, humorous public persona
Career Honours
- 1989 Big Eight Player of the Year
- 1989 The Sporting News National Player of the Year
- 1989 Consensus First-Team All-American
- 1988 NCAA National Championship Runner-Up
American Athletes