“Just making history is always a great thing.” When Scotty Pippen Jr. said that, he wasn’t just talking about stats or headlines—he was talking about a moment that will forever tie him and his Hall of Fame father together in NBA history. That November night might’ve passed months ago, but the buzz around it hasn’t gone quiet. And now, Pippen Jr. is letting fans in on how deeply it resonated.
Think about it—this season started with a bang for the Memphis Grizzlies, and Pippen Jr. was right there at the center of it. With all eyes on the team, he wasn’t just riding the wave of his last name. He was making a name for himself, one play at a time.
“That was crazy. You know, I didn’t really even realize that. After the game, I feel like it was. You know, it’s a real feeling. It’s my dad being in the building and just having to go down just because I never thought I’d even be in the NBA, let alone just making history with my dad and stuff like that. So I just thought it was crazy,” he shared on Run It Back. It doesn’t get more heartfelt than that. And what sparked it all?
With Ja Morant out, Pippen Jr. had stepped up and turned heads in a November matchup against the Washington Wizards. His triple-double—11 points, 10 boards, 11 assists—cemented a never-before-seen NBA feat: a father-son duo, both owning triple-doubles.
Nov 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) scores on a breakaway against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
And let’s not forget that Pippen Jr. was born in 2000, nearly two years after his father parted ways with the Bulls. So he has no firsthand experience of what exactly Pip was during his time in the Bulls’ playoff runs. But make no mistake—he’s writing his own story now. However, it’s not as if Pippen Jr. has never faced a setback because of his last name.
Scotty Pippen Jr. opened up on the challenge of being an NBA son
Pippen Jr. quietly put together a strong campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2024–25 season. Though Memphis couldn’t get past the first round—falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a four-game sweep—the young guard’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. But while his game is steadily earning respect, it’s the weight of his last name that often creates a different kind of battle.
Appearing on Run It Back, Pippen Jr. peeled back the curtain on what it’s like growing up in the shadow of a basketball icon. And for those assuming a famous name means an easier path, his words told a very different story. “I feel like the name might have hurt me more than it helped me sometimes,” he shared honestly. “I feel like it was tough just because I feel like I wasn’t given fair treatment. People kind of just overlooked me because of my dad.”
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when your own journey is constantly compared to someone else’s legacy. He admitted, “I think it’s hard. Everyone puts these expectations on you just because you’re someone’s son. So, I think you just kind of get used to it.” Clearly, though, the 24-year-old knows how to deal with these expectations. And he is at it to level them with such iconic records.
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