Scotty Pippen Jr. Bio
Scotty Maurice Pippen Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on November 10, 2000, in Portland, Oregon, he is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, who won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Pippen Jr. played his college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he garnered recognition as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team in 2020 and received First-team All-conference honors in 2021 and 2022. With a mix of skill and pedigree, Scotty continues to make his mark in professional basketball.
Early Life and Background
Pippen was born in Portland, Oregon, while his father, future Hall-of-Fame small forward Scottie Pippen, was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. From kindergarten to tenth grade, Scotty attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Before his junior year, his family moved to the Los Angeles area, and he transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, which had a more competitive basketball program.
At Sierra Canyon, he played alongside future NBA players such as Marvin Bagley III, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Cassius Stanley. As a senior, he averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game and helped his team win the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state title. Pippen competed for the Oakland Soldiers on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit. He committed to playing college basketball for Vanderbilt over offers from Washington State, San Francisco, Colorado State, UC Santa Barbara, and Hofstra.
Path to Professional Basketball
During his three seasons at Vanderbilt University from 2019 to 2022, Pippen developed into one of the most dynamic guards in the Southeastern Conference. As a freshman, he averaged 12 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. The impending departures of future NBA players Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee led to expectations of a leading role on the team, which came to fruition in his sophomore season.
On December 27, 2020, Pippen scored 30 points in an 87-50 win over Alcorn State. On January 27, 2021, he scored 32 points in a 78-71 loss to Florida. As a sophomore, he averaged 20.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility but later withdrew, returning to Vanderbilt for his junior season. As a junior, he averaged 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, leading the SEC in scoring and earning First-team All-SEC recognition for the second consecutive year. He declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Career
Los Angeles Lakers and South Bay Lakers (2022-2024)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Pippen signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 1, 2022, splitting time with their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. He joined Los Angeles for the 2022 NBA Summer League, where in his Summer League debut, he scored 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block in a 100-66 win over the Miami Heat. He was named to the G League’s inaugural Next Up Game for the 2022-23 season.
On September 7, 2023, Pippen re-signed with the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 contract, but was waived on October 16, 2023. He rejoined the South Bay Lakers on October 28, 2023, continuing his development in the G League.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2024-Present)
On January 16, 2024, Pippen signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his transition to a full NBA roster. On October 15, his contract was converted to a standard four-year contract, solidifying his place with the organization. The 2024-25 season became a breakout year for the younger Pippen.
On November 2, 2024, Pippen recorded 12 points and a career-high 13 assists in a 124-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. On November 8, 2024, he recorded his first career triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 128-104 win over the Washington Wizards. He and his father, Scottie Pippen, became the first father-son duo in NBA history to each record a triple-double. On November 23, 2024, Pippen recorded a career-high 30 points along with 10 assists in a 142-131 win over the Chicago Bulls. He made 79 appearances (21 starts) for Memphis during the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pippen plays the point guard position with exceptional court vision and playmaking ability. His scoring prowess, particularly as a three-point shooter and driver, has continued to develop at the NBA level. His basketball IQ, honed through his college career where he led the SEC in scoring, translates well to creating opportunities for teammates while maintaining his offensive aggression. The legacy of his father Scottie Pippen, one of the greatest small forwards in NBA history, has influenced his understanding of the game at the highest level.
Notable Events and Milestones
During the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, Pippen made his playoff debut on April 20, 2025, in Game 1 of the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, recording two points and four assists in a 131-80 loss. He responded with a team-high 28 points in Game 3, followed by a team-high 30 points with 11 rebounds in Game 4, though the Grizzlies were eliminated from the playoffs. On October 18, 2025, it was announced that Pippen would miss at least 12 weeks after undergoing a sesamoidectomy to address a lingering left big toe injury.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Career Wins
Throughout his basketball career spanning college and professional levels, Pippen has accumulated significant individual accolades and team accomplishments.
College Highlights
At Vanderbilt, Pippen earned three major conference honors across three seasons. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2020, followed by First-team All-SEC selections in both 2021 and 2022. His junior season was particularly impressive, as he led the entire SEC in scoring while averaging over 20 points per game. His single-game highs included a 32-point performance against Florida and multiple 30-point games that demonstrated his offensive capabilities against top collegiate competition.
Professional Highlights
In the G League, Pippen earned recognition by being named to the NBA G League Next Up Game during the 2022-23 season. His NBA career has featured notable single-game performances, including his first career triple-double with the Memphis Grizzlies and a career-high 30-point game against the Chicago Bulls. He appeared in 79 games with 21 starts during the 2024-25 season, establishing himself as a reliable rotation player.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Pippen is the son of Hall of Fame basketball player Scottie Pippen, who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls during his 17-year career in the league. His mother is Larsa Pippen, a media personality and cast member on The Real Housewives of Miami. He is the cousin of Kavion Pippen, who is also a professional basketball player. His younger brother, Justin Pippen, played for the Michigan Wolverines basketball team before transferring to the California Golden Bears.
Personal Life
Growing up as the son of one of the NBA’s greatest players, Scotty Pippen Jr. has navigated the pressures and expectations that come with a famous basketball family name. He has forged his own path through hard work and development, earning his opportunities through performance rather than his family legacy. His mother’s media career has also brought public attention to the family, but Pippen has maintained focus on his basketball career throughout his rise through the ranks.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season represented a breakthrough year for Pippen with the Memphis Grizzlies. After signing a standard four-year contract in October 2024, he became an increasingly important part of the rotation. His triple-double against the Washington Wizards, making him and his father the first in NBA history to both achieve this feat, became one of the signature moments of the season.
Pippen’s 79 appearances with 21 starts demonstrated his reliability and contribution to the team. His averages of 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists showed his all-around impact. The playoff performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he scored 28 and 30 points in Games 3 and 4 respectively, demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stage despite the team’s first-round exit.
Following the season, Pippen faced a setback when a toe injury required surgery, causing him to miss significant time in the 2025-26 season. However, his emergence as a legitimate NBA contributor during the 2024-25 campaign established his ability to compete at the highest level of professional basketball, building on the foundation of his SEC success at Vanderbilt and his development through the G League.