Pippen Jr.'s Growing Legacy: From G League to Memphis Grizzlies Mainstay
In the high-stakes world of professional basketball, it’s often the players who adapt and overcome that rise to prominence. Scotty Pippen Jr., at just 23 years old, is quickly becoming a fixture in the NBA arena, currently playing for the Memphis Grizzlies as a guard. Standing 6-foot-1, Pippen Jr. brings both skill and tenacity to the court, traits that have helped him transition from the South Bay Lakers in the G League to a significant role on the Grizzlies roster.
Once overlooked by the Los Angeles Lakers—who waived him following a training camp and did not issue a qualifying offer post his rookie year—Pippen Jr. found an opportunity to prove himself with the Memphis Grizzlies. In January, Pippen Jr. secured a two-way contract with the team, a move that would soon highlight his potential in the NBA world.
Playing alongside the renowned Ja Morant, Pippen Jr. took advantage of opportunities presented by Morant's injuries. Demonstrating his disruptive defense and strategic playmaking, Pippen helped lineups including both guards outscore opponents by an impressive margin of 19 points per 100 possessions. This performance not only influenced the team’s decision to sign him to a four-year contract during the preseason but also solidified Pippen Jr.'s reputation as a valuable asset on the court.
One of the defining attributes of Pippen's game is his ability to accelerate play and create disruptions. Head Coach Taylor Jenkins commended his defensive proficiency, stating, "He was a guy that we immediately fell in love with because he was picking up guys 94 feet, he was being a disruptor, he was executing game plans, he was creating turnovers." Dennis Schroder, another voice from the court, emphasized Pippen’s contribution, "Gotta bring some toughness. Defensively, picking up full court, changing the game, speeding the game up. And that's what he do."
Offensively, Pippen Jr. has made remarkable strides. Averaging 17.1 points per 36 minutes with an efficient true shooting percentage of 62.8%, he has shown a proclivity for catching and shooting three-pointers with a 48% success rate. Notably, he delivered a standout performance last April with a 28-point, four-steal game against his former team, the Lakers, reaffirming his capacity to rise to challenging occasions.
Adding to his impressive statistics, Pippen averages 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per 36 minutes. He even secured a triple-double earlier in the season, a testament to his ability to influence multiple facets of the game. Jaren Jackson Jr., one of Pippen's teammates, lauded his capability, noting, "As a point guard, it's hard, but he's making it look easy."
Pippen Jr.'s journey is characterized by resilience and determination. Reflecting on his earlier career choices, Pippen admitted, "I was ready to leave the G League, maybe go overseas," capturing the uncertainty many young athletes face. This sentiment underscores his current success story—a player who has carved his place in the NBA through grit and hard work.
With the Grizzlies boasting a 7-4 record this season, Pippen Jr. is an integral part of the team's dynamics, his contributions on both ends of the court undeniable. He inspires and leads by example, not only refining his legacy but also forming a distinct identity within the professional basketball sphere, away from the shadows of familial legacy. "I was more so just trying to prove to myself that I belonged here," Pippen reflected.
As Dennis Schroder aptly put it, "It’s his own legacy. He is his own man." This evolving narrative of Scotty Pippen Jr. presents a vivid tale of perseverance and accolades, contributing to the Memphis Grizzlies' pursuit of success while crafting a personal story that captures the spirit of modern NBA play.