Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen
Name	Scottie Pippen
Caption	Pippen with the Chicago Bulls in 1994
Position	Small forward
Weight lb	210
Birth date	25 September 1965
Birth place	Hamburg, Arkansas, U.S.
High school	Hamburg (Hamburg, Arkansas)
College	University of Central Arkansas (1983–1987)
Draft year	1987
Draft team	Seattle SuperSonics
Career start	1987
Career end	2004
Career number	33, 8
Career position	Small forward
Years1	1987–1998
Team1	Chicago Bulls
Years2	1999
Team2	Houston Rockets
Years3	1999–2003
Team3	Portland Trail Blazers
Years4	2003–2004
Team4	Chicago Bulls
Highlights	* 6× NBA champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998) * 7× NBA All-Star (1990, 1992–1997) * NBA All-Star Game MVP (1994) * 3× All-NBA First Team (1994–1996) * 8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1992–1999) * NBA steals leader (1995) * NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) * No. 33 retired by Chicago Bulls * USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1996) * 2× Olympic gold medalist (1992, 1996)
Hoophall	scottie-pippen
Bbr	pippesc01

Scottie Pippen is an American former professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest small forwards in NBA history. He played 17 seasons in the league, primarily with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he won six NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan. Renowned for his elite defensive prowess, versatile all-around game, and high basketball IQ, Pippen was a seven-time NBA All-Star and a key architect of the Bulls' dynasty of the 1990s.

Early life and college career

Born in Hamburg, Arkansas, Pippen grew up in a large family and initially served as the team manager for the Hamburg High School basketball squad before eventually earning a spot as a senior. He received no major scholarship offers and enrolled at the University of Central Arkansas, initially working as the team's equipment manager. Under coach Don Dyer, Pippen experienced a dramatic growth spurt and developed into a standout player for the UCA Bears, averaging 23.6 points and 10 rebounds per game in his senior season, which attracted the attention of NBA scouts.

NBA career

Pippen was selected fifth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1987 NBA draft and was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls for center Olden Polynice. He quickly became an integral part of the franchise, forming a legendary partnership with Michael Jordan under coach Phil Jackson. Pippen’s defensive versatility, playmaking, and scoring were crucial to the Bulls' first three-peat from 1991 to 1993. Following Jordan's first retirement, Pippen led the Bulls in scoring and earned the NBA All-Star Game MVP award in 1994. Upon Jordan's return, he was instrumental in the team's second three-peat from 1996 to 1998, earning three consecutive All-NBA First Team selections. After being traded to the Houston Rockets in 1999, he later played for the Portland Trail Blazers, reaching the Western Conference finals in 2000, before finishing his career with a return to the Bulls in 2004.

National team career

Pippen was a central figure in two of the most celebrated teams in international basketball history. He was a member of the legendary "Dream Team" at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, which won the gold medal and global acclaim. He returned to win a second gold medal with USA Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and was named the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year for his contributions that year.

Post-playing career

Following his retirement, Pippen has remained involved in basketball and public life. He served as a special advisor to the president and COO of the Chicago Bulls. He has also worked as a basketball analyst for ESPN and NBC Sports Chicago. In 2010, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Personal life

Pippen has been married twice, first to Karen McCollum and later to actress Larsa Younan; he has several children. His son, Scotty Pippen Jr., plays professional basketball. Pippen has also been involved in various business ventures and charitable work, including the Scottie Pippen Foundation. In recent years, his relationship with former teammate Michael Jordan has been a frequent topic of media discussion following the release of the "The Last Dance" documentary.

Legacy and honors

Scottie Pippen's legacy is defined by his status as the quintessential elite wing defender and a revolutionary player at the small forward position. His eight selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team underscore his defensive impact, while his all-around statistics place him among the most versatile players ever. Often described as the ideal complementary star, his synergy with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls created one of sports' greatest dynasties. His honors include six NBA championships, seven NBA All-Star selections, two Olympic gold medals, and having his No. 33 jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls. He is consistently ranked among the top 30 players in NBA history.

Category:American basketball players Category:Chicago Bulls players Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball