Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. is making waves after his first full season of extended <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA play, following two years primarily spent in the G-League as an undrafted 2022 draft pick. He appeared in 79 games last season, starting in 21 of them, and posted averages of 9.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, showing steady improvement in his role.
During his time on a two-way contract for the 2023-24 season, Pippen Jr. stepped into a heavier workload, increasing his contributions to 12.5 points and 4.7 assists across 25.1 minutes per game, marking career highs.
Confidence and Determination as the New Season Approaches
Recently at Los Angeles International Airport, Pippen Jr. spoke with TMZ Sports and expressed strong confidence in the Grizzlies’ potential, warning that the team is being underestimated around the league. Training hard ahead of camp, he emphasized that Memphis has often been overlooked in recent years, a trend he is eager to change.
“I feel good this year going into it. I feel like the end of last year a lot of people saw me take another step in my career. But this year’s going to be different.”
— Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies guard
Following in the Legendary Path of Scottie Pippen
Scotty Pippen Jr. has made a name for himself in college basketball, earning first-team All-SEC honors in both his sophomore and junior years at Vanderbilt and securing SEC All-Freshman recognition in 2020. Despite the Commodores’ struggles during his tenure, he consistently averaged around 20 points per game.
As the son of six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, Pippen Jr. carries a strong basketball legacy. Born in 2000 while his father played for the Portland Trail Blazers, he spent much of his youth in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before moving to Sierra Canyon near Los Angeles to finish high school.
Looking Ahead to the NBA Season and What It Could Mean
The Memphis Grizzlies, led in part by Pippen Jr., await the official NBA schedule release, which will reveal their opening opponent and full slate of 82 games. With heightened expectations and a motivated roster, the Grizzlies aim to overcome past underestimation and make a strong impact in the upcoming season.