The Memphis Grizzlies have signed Scotty Pippen Jr., the son of six-time NBA champion and seven-time All-Star Chicago Bulls small forward Scottie Pippen, to a standard multi-year contract, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Per Charania, the Grizzlies came to an agreement with Pippen Jr.’s representatives, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Shy Saee.
The Memphis Grizzlies are signing two-way guard Scotty Pippen Jr. on a standard multiyear NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. Pippen had an impressive finish to 2023-24 and a strong NBA Summer League and preseason. Now locks in a guaranteed new deal. pic.twitter.com/MuA3HsliKs
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2024
Pippen Jr. signed with the Grizzlies on a two-way deal in January, and has now been promoted to the team’s 15-man roster. Pippen Jr. appeared in 21 games for the Grizzlies last season. He started 16 of those games, and averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
Pippen Jr. has continued this strong play through the first four games of the preseason, leading the Grizzlies to a 3-1 record while averaging 10.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.
The Chicago Bulls logo on their uniform during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 01, 2022 in Washington, DC.
G Fiume/Getty Images
The 6-foot-1 point guard went unselected in the 2022 NBA Draft, and signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers afterward. He spent the 2022-23 season with the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. His play for the South Bay Lakers earned him a spot in the G League’s Next Up Game.
Pippen Jr. appeared in just six games with the Lakers proper, averaging 5.3 minutes, 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game for Los Angeles.
After spending the second half of the 2023-24 season with the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, Pippen Jr. has now earned greater stability with a team for the first time since going pro.
Before entering the NBA, Pippen Jr. played three seasons of basketball for Vanderbilt. Pippen Jr. starred at Vanderbilt, starting 89 of the 90 games he played in for the Commodores. As a freshman, Pippen Jr. averaged 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Pippen Jr. averaged over 20 points per game in his sophomore and junior seasons, and was first-team All-SEC both years.
Read more: Former Bulls All-Star Calls Out 2 MVPs for Playoff ‘PTSD’
Pippen Jr.’s dad, Scottie Pippen, playing alongside Michael Jordan during the Bulls’ dynasty era, which saw Chicago win six NBA championships. Pippen was a seven-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA honoree, eight-time NBA All-Defensive First Teamer and two-time All-Defensive Second Teamer, and is part of the NBA‘s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Pippen is also a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Bulls have retired his No. 33 jersey.
Outside of his time in the NBA, Pippen helped win the gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games and the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
For the latest in Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls stories, check out Newsweek Sports.
