Despite being the son of Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, Scotty Pippen Jr. wasn’t drawing a whole lot of attention as a college basketball player.
He has a solid career at Vanderbilt University, averaging 17.5 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game in three seasons there, but he wasn’t universally considered a legitimate NBA draft prospect.
As it turned out, no one took him on draft day, and the Los Angeles Lakers swooped him up as an undrafted free agent.
During an interview on Spectrum SportsNet’s “Lakeshow” podcast, the younger Pippen admitted he was disappointed he didn’t get drafted, but that he was happy to become a Laker.
“Yeah of course it is disappointing,” Pippen said of not being drafted. “I thought I did everything good, especially during the Combine. I thought I performed well. I had about 15 or 20 workouts where I had a good position to get drafted. But, you know, stuff happens for a reason. I never questioned it. When I didn’t hear my name get called there was still disappoint, but I didn’t think there was a better fit for me than to come to the Lakers and come home. It was still a dream come true. Being able to play for an organization like that who competes for a championship and is a place where I feel like I fit.”
The younger Pippen was born in Portland, Ore., as his father was with the Portland Trail Blazers at the time, but he spent his last two years of high school in the Southland at Sierra Canyon School, the same school Bronny James, LeBron James’ son, currently attends.
The younger Pippen also said that being overlooked at every level has given him a chip on his shoulder and plenty of motivation.
“I think it is always adding fuel to the fire whenever you are counted out. The same thing was with me in high school. Then I was recruited to college and I went to college and did my thing. Just trying to prove that next level where I can compete and prove where I belong. It definitely added a chip to my shoulder and more motivation to work harder.”
During summer league play with the Lakers, he showed multiple weaknesses, but he also displayed the ability to get to the basket and score, as well as a penchant for getting to the foul line and an improving ability to hit the open man.
The younger Pippen is now on a two-way contract with the Purple and Gold. While he lacks elite quickness or athleticism, the type of motivation he says he has can spark the type of otherworldly work ethic and dedication that could give him a serious future in the NBA.
