Scottie Pippen vs. Scotty Pippen Jr.: Compare college and NBA stats, records, achievements and more

We're reliving what it's like to have a Pippen in the league again. Scotty Pippen Jr. emerged as a promising star in college, but even he got off to a slow start in the NBA until he got to Memphis and is now the NBA prospect to watch, aside from the Lakers. To cap off his new deal with the Grizzlies, Scotty recorded an epic double-double against – wait for it – the Chicago Bulls. His father's old team emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 123-126, but the star of the show was Scotty Pippen Jr.

As Scottie and Larsa Pippen's eldest son finally earns his due, comparisons to his six-time NBA champion father are inevitable. What's notable is that Scottie Pippen was a breakout star from college through the draft. This is where the differences in the father-son duo are greatest.

The Pippens turn out to be unremarkable stars

In some ways, both Scottie Pippen and his son had similar starts to their college careers three decades later. The Arkansas native caught the attention of head coach Don Dyer, who recruited him as a reserve player for the University of Central Arkansas, an NAIA team, in 1983. Back then, there was no media frenzy surrounding Pippen Sr. in the way the NCAA recruited. As a reserve, he averaged 4.3 points per game.

Until he grew to 1.80 meters tall and became a dominant personality on the court. Like a foretaste of his career alongside Michael Jordan, Pippen averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, 4.3 assists and nearly 60 percent field goal shooting in his senior year. He finished his college career with All-NAIA All-American honors in 1986 and 1987. Throughout his college career, Pippen averaged 16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.9 SPG; and 54.2% FG.

Unlike his father, Scotty Pippen Jr. didn't come out of nowhere and start a relatively unknown basketball program. Since high school, he and his siblings have always been in the spotlight. He wasn't born when his father won NBA championships, and his style was completely different. The Bulls legend was one of the greatest forwards in NBA history, while Scotty Jr. focused on a combination of defense and shooting as a guard.

When he committed to Vanderbilt in 2019, expectations were high for Scotty. In his first season, he played 32 games and averaged a measly 12 points per game. Eventually he would grow into his body and find his rhythm. During his junior year, Scotty averaged 20.4 points per game, leading the SEC. He holds one of the highest assists records in Vanderbilt history, was All-SEC First Team and the 2022 Tennessee Sports Writers Association State Player of the Year. According to NCAA records, Scotty Jr averaged 15.6 PPG, 4.1 APG and 2.8 RPG; and 41.1% FG.

Pippen Jr. gives Scottie Pippen vibes

When both Pippens declared for the NBA draft 35 years apart, both appeared to be in shape. Scottie Pippen's performance in the NAIA had caught the attention of NBA scouts. As the story goes, the Chicago Bulls acquired Pippen via Seattle and selected him fifth overall in the 1987 draft.

For his child, it was a different story. The 1.95 meter tall guard impressed at the 2022 NBA Combine at Wintrust Arena, not far from the United Center, where his father spent his best years. He led a game with 21 points, 3 assists and 2 steals. But he wasn't selected in the 2022 draft (as was Shaq's son, Shareef O'Neal). He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers and ended up in the G-League.

The South Bay Lakers have apparently been good for his development. When he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in January 2024, he was a new and improved player.

For Sr., in his first two seasons, The pip proved to be the perfect sidekick for Michael Jordan. He was a starter early in his NBA debut and helped the Bulls reach the playoffs three years in a row. He immediately became an All-Star in 1990 with career-best records.

Scotty has made his mark since being drafted two years ago, evolving from an afterthought to a key player on an undermanned Grizzlies roster. In October, he converted his two-way contract into a four-year contract with the Grizzlies. In one of his first games as a standard contract player, Scotty came off the bench and finished the game with 14 points, 10 assists and a block and steal each. Just as his father was the most reliable Robin in NBA history, Scotty Pippen Jr. looks to be one of the best backup players in the league.