MANILA, Philippines — Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. said Wednesday that he uses the legacy and guidance of his father, NBA legend Scottie Pippen, as motivation as he prepares to take on a bigger role with Memphis.
Pippen Jr., 25, said he does not view being the son of a six-time NBA champion as added pressure. Instead, he considers his father a resource who can help him develop his career.
“I think people look at it as pressure. I just kind of use that as an advantage and just knowing that I have someone that can help me get to where I need to be and push me,” Pippen Jr. said during his visit to the NBA Store Philippines at SM Megamall.
Unlike his father, who the Seattle SuperSonics selected fifth overall in the 1987 NBA Draft, Pippen Jr. entered the league without being drafted in 2022.
He earned a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, before joining Memphis in 2023.
Pippen Jr. has continued to develop with the Grizzlies and is expected to take on a larger role this season following changes to the team’s backcourt.
He said his father has consistently emphasized the importance of hard work, particularly during periods when teams overlooked him.
“I think my dad’s biggest motivation for me was just talking about my work ethic. Just keep working,” Pippen Jr. said.
“He just tells me to put my head down and just keep working. And I think even when I was a kid and I was getting overlooked, he always told me, just keep working.”
Pippen Jr. said his father also reminded him that his opportunity would eventually come.
“He just keeps telling me that my time will come,” he said.
