King was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Fort Hamilton High School. He was a standout player in high school, leading his team to the city championship in 1974. After high school, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he was a two-time All-American and the leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference.
King was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1977, and he quickly established himself as one of the premier scorers in the NBA. He averaged over 20 points per game in each of his first five seasons, and he was named to the All-Star team in 1979 and 1981.
In 1982, King was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he continued to excel. He was named to the All-Star team in 1983 and 1984, and he was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1984. He was also the NBA scoring champion in 1984, averaging 32.9 points per game.
King's career was derailed by a serious knee injury in 1985, and he missed the entire 1986-87 season. He returned to the NBA in 1987, and he played for the Washington Bullets, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz before retiring in 1993.
Throughout his career, King was known for his remarkable scoring ability. He was a master of the mid-range jump shot, and he was also an excellent free throw shooter. He finished his career with 19,655 points, which ranks him 25th on the all-time scoring list. King's legacy as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history is secure.
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