Scotty Pippen Jr.: Making His Mark in Memphis
At just 23 years old, Scotty Pippen Jr. is swiftly carving out a legacy of his own in the professional basketball world. Despite being the son of an NBA legend, Pippen Jr. is not just content with carrying a famous name. Instead, he is making a name for himself, particularly with the Memphis Grizzlies, earning accolades for his standout performances and tenacious play style.
Pippen Jr., standing at 6-foot-1, finds himself fitting perfectly into the role of a guard. Recently, his journey has seen significant developments. After an initial start in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, his career path took a pivotal turn. A training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers left him without a spot on the team; they eventually waived him and did not issue a qualifying offer after his rookie season. This moment of uncertainty led Pippen Jr. to contemplate the possibility of leaving the G League for opportunities overseas. "I was ready to leave the G League, maybe go overseas," he candidly shared, illustrating the crossroads he faced early on.
However, January brought a new turn of events, as he secured a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Pippen Jr. quickly became a key player, filling in for the injured Ja Morant and showing his prowess on the court. The combination of Pippen and Morant has proven to be formidable; when both players share the court, their lineups boast an impressive margin of outscoring opponents by 19 points per 100 possessions.
The Grizzlies, recognizing his potential, signed Pippen Jr. to a four-year contract in the preseason, a testament to their belief in his abilities and future contributions. Head Coach Taylor Jenkins was enthusiastic in his praise, noting, "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."
Pippen Jr.'s statistics bolster the faith placed in him. Averaging 17.1 points per 36 minutes alongside a 62.8% true shooting percentage, he is an offensive force on the court. His defensive stats also shine, with an average of 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks over the same period. Moreover, his proficiency with catch-and-shoot three-pointers, converting 48% of his opportunities, provides the Grizzlies with a reliable perimeter shooter.
His impact was most notably felt in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers last April, where he delivered a stellar performance with 28 points and four steals. Pippen Jr. attributes his seamless adaptation and success to his relentless drive and determination, noting, "I was more so just trying to prove to myself that I belonged here."
His teammates and opponents alike recognize his defensive grit and playmaking skills. Veteran guard Dennis Schroder commended Pippen Jr.'s efforts, stating, "Gotta bring some toughness. Defensively, picking up full court, changing the game, speeding the game up. And that's what he do." This sentiment was echoed by Jaren Jackson Jr., who added, "As a point guard, it's hard, but he's making it look easy."
For Pippen Jr., it's not about living in the shadow of his father's greatness. As Dennis Schroder aptly put it, "It’s his own legacy. He is his own man." Indeed, Pippen Jr. approaches each game and season with the intent of cementing his path, driven by both an intrinsic motivation and a deep understanding of the sport.
As the Grizzlies continue their current season with a 7-4 record, Pippen Jr.'s development will be one to watch. With each game, he continues to prove his role in the NBA extends beyond his surname. Through sheer talent and determination, Scotty Pippen Jr. is firmly establishing himself as a remarkable player and an integral part of the Memphis Grizzlies lineup.