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. Pippen Jr. played his college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he earned Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team recognition in 2020 and First-team All-Conference honors in 2021 and 2022. With a mix of skill and pedigree, he has continued to build his professional career at the highest level of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Scotty Maurice Pippen Jr. was born on November 10, 2000, in Portland, Oregon, while his father, Scottie Pippen, was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. He grew up in a basketball family and was exposed to the game from a very young age. From kindergarten through tenth grade, he attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before his family moved to the Los Angeles area.
Before his junior year of high school, Pippen Jr. transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, where the basketball program offered a more competitive environment. At Sierra Canyon, he played alongside several future NBA players, including 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, helping his team win the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state title.
Outside of high school basketball, Pippen Jr. competed for the Oakland Soldiers on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, a respected grassroots program. He eventually committed to Vanderbilt University over scholarship offers from Washington State, San Francisco, Colorado State, UC Santa Barbara, and Hofstra, choosing to follow his own path in college basketball.
Path to Basketball
Pippen Jr.’s journey to college basketball was shaped by years of steady development through top high school and AAU programs. His time at Sierra Canyon gave him the chance to compete against elite national talent and prepare for the next level. The Oakland Soldiers helped him refine his game against other top amateur players across the country.
When he arrived at Vanderbilt, Pippen Jr. quickly established himself as a key contributor. As a freshman, he averaged 12 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, scoring a season-high 21 points twice and earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. His strong play drew national attention and set the stage for an even larger role as a sophomore.
The departures of future NBA players Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee opened the door for Pippen Jr. to become the team’s leading scorer. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft but later withdrew to return to Vanderbilt for his junior season, a decision that allowed him to further sharpen his skills before entering the professional ranks.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Pippen Jr. began his college career at Vanderbilt during the 2019–20 season, making an immediate impact as a freshman. He posted a season-high 21 points on November 20, 2019, in a 90–72 win over Austin Peay and matched that total in the regular season finale against South Carolina. His balanced play helped him earn SEC All-Freshman Team recognition.
As a sophomore in 2020–21, Pippen Jr. blossomed into a featured scorer. He reached 30 points in a win over Alcorn State on December 27, 2020, and recorded his first career double-double with 18 points and 12 assists against Mississippi State. He finished the year averaging 20.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the top guards in the SEC.
Vanderbilt Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Pippen Jr. returned for his junior season at Vanderbilt, where he continued to produce at a high level. On December 7, 2021, he hit a last-second three-pointer to tie the game against Temple, capping another memorable performance. He averaged 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game as a junior, leading the SEC in scoring.
His play earned him First-team All-SEC honors for the second time in his career, cementing his status as one of the conference’s premier guards. On April 18, 2022, Pippen Jr. declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility to begin his professional career.
Los Angeles Lakers Era (2022–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Pippen Jr. 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 and scored 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block in his debut, a 100–66 win over the Miami Heat. His strong Summer League showing led to his selection for the G League’s inaugural Next Up Game during the 2022–23 season.
On September 7, 2023, Pippen Jr. re-signed with the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 contract, but he was waived on October 16, 2023, before the regular season began.
South Bay Lakers (2023–2024)
On October 28, 2023, Pippen Jr. rejoined the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League, continuing his development as a professional guard. His time with the affiliate allowed him to maintain a steady rhythm and prepare for another opportunity at the NBA level.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2024–Present)
On January 16, 2024, Pippen Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, earning a fresh start with a new organization. On October 15, 2024, his contract was converted to a standard four-year deal, signaling the team’s long-term commitment to his development. He quickly found his footing, recording 12 points and a career-high 13 assists in a 124–107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on November 2, 2024.
On November 8, 2024, Pippen Jr. 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, became the first father-son duo in NBA history to each record a triple-double. He later set a career high with 30 points and 10 assists in a 142–131 win over the Chicago Bulls on November 23, 2024. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he made 79 appearances with 21 starts, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
Pippen Jr. made his NBA playoff debut on April 20, 2025, in a 131–80 Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He followed up with a team-high 28 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a 114–108 Game 3 loss, and added another 30 points with 11 rebounds and four assists in a 117–115 Game 4 loss that ended Memphis’s season. On October 18, 2025, the team announced he would miss at least 12 weeks after undergoing a sesamoidectomy to address a lingering left big toe injury.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pippen Jr.’s most defining moment came on November 8, 2024, when he and his father became the first father-son duo in NBA history to each record a triple-double. He also posted a career-high 30 points against the Chicago Bulls, the same franchise where his father won six championships, and capped his first playoff appearance with a 30-point effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Scotty Pippen Jr. Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Scotty Maurice Pippen Jr. 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, Larsa Pippen, is a media personality and cast member on The Real Housewives of Miami. His mother is of Assyrian descent, giving him a diverse cultural background. He is also the cousin of Kavion Pippen, an American professional basketball player.
Personal Life
Pippen Jr.’s younger brother, Justin Pippen, played for the 2024–25 Michigan Wolverines basketball team before transferring to play for the California Golden Bears men’s basketball program, continuing the family’s strong basketball tradition. Scotty Maurice Pippen Jr. remains focused on his professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season marked Pippen Jr.’s first full year as a standard-contract player with the Memphis Grizzlies. He appeared in 79 games with 21 starts, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, showing growth as a playmaker and perimeter scorer. His late-season surge included his first career triple-double and a career-high 30-point performance against the Chicago Bulls.
Pippen Jr. also made his playoff debut in the 2025 postseason, finishing the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with two standout scoring performances of 28 and 30 points. Despite the Grizzlies being eliminated in four games, his play hinted at a larger role ahead.
On October 18, 2025, the Grizzlies announced that Pippen Jr. would miss at least 12 weeks following a sesamoidectomy on his left big toe. The procedure is expected to sideline him into early 2026, putting a hold on the momentum he built during the 2024–25 season. His return will be a key storyline for the Grizzlies as they look to build on their young core.