How Scottie Pippen Parents Shaped an NBA Legend?
Scottie Pippen’s road to NBA stardom started in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 12 kids in the Pippen family. Scottie Pippen parents, Ethel and Preston Pippen, raised him with a lot of love. Even though they didn’t have much money, they taught Scottie important life lessons, which led him to an NBA legend.
Join Now and Enter to Win a FREE NBA Basketball Jersey! 👇
Who is Scottie Pippen’s mom?
Scottie’s mother, Ethel Pippen (1923–2016), was the pillar of the Pippen family. Ethel raised 12 children in the town of Hamburg, Arkansas. It wasn’t easy. Her unwavering faith kept them going. She had beliefs in God and in her children, which inspired Scottie to dream big.
Ethel worked tirelessly to provide for her family, ensuring they felt loved and secure at home. During challenging times, she always found a way to make ends meet.
Pip never forgot his mother’s love and sacrifices. When he eventually reached the NBA, he was overjoyed to be able to give back and provide for his mom.
Both Ethel and Scottie’s father were quite tall, standing at over 6 feet each, a trait they passed down to their children. Scottie himself measured 6’8″, which undoubtedly played a role in his basketball stardom. From the courts in Hamburg all the way up to the NBA, his height served as both an advantage and a testament to his parents’ strength.
Who is Scottie Pippen’s dad?
Preston Pippen (1920-1990) was the father of Scottie Pippen. He dedicated himself tirelessly to support his family after experiencing a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side.
Due to the stroke, Preston had to retire from his job at a mill. Despite facing challenges in movement and speech, he never lost hope.
During Scottie’s high school years, he had to mature and assist in the care of his father and brother Ronnie, who became paralyzed following a gym class accident.
This situation was difficult. It contributed to Scottie’s growth. He learned lessons from his father about work, confronting challenges directly, and refusing to give up.
These lessons proved beneficial for Scottie in his basketball career when he had to prove himself and rebound from setbacks. Sadly, Preston passed away during the NBA playoffs in 1990. This event brought sorrow, motivated Scottie to step up both as a player and as an individual.
Preston managed to teach Scottie without needing words—simply by the way he lived. His resilience continues through Scottie’s journey.
Scottie Pippen Parents Impact
Scottie Pippen became an NBA legend, but his parents, Ethel and Preston Pippen, helped him get there. They gave him the support and resilience he needed to rise to the top.
The Pippens lived modestly, with 12 kids in a small 2-bedroom house. Money was tight, but the family was close. When Preston had a stroke and Scottie’s brother Ronnie was paralyzed, it was hard. But Ethel and Preston stayed strong. This taught Scottie to be resilient in the face of challenges.
Scottie started playing basketball just for fun. His family couldn’t afford college scholarships. But he got a work-study grant at the University of Central Arkansas. Sweeping floors and managing gear wasn’t glamorous, but Scottie stayed humble like his parents taught him. This led to him walking onto the team and honing his skills.
When Preston passed away during the 1990 NBA playoffs, Scottie matured quickly. He felt like he had to step up and be a leader, just like his dad. The life lessons from Ethel and Preston guided Scottie through every game.
Scottie became a legend through natural talent and hard work. But his parents gave him the foundation. They believed in Scottie from the start and taught him to stay resilient. Even when they struggled, their love and support were unwavering. They helped nurture a basketball dream into reality.
What was Scottie Pippen’s childhood?
Scottie Pippen grew up in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 12 kids in his family. As a little kid, Scottie dreamed of one day winning an NBA championship. But he wasn’t very good at basketball yet.
In 9th grade, Scottie’s dad had a stroke and was paralyzed. This was really hard for the family. Around this time, Scottie hit a growth spurt and shot up to 6 feet tall. He started playing basketball more seriously.
In high school, Scottie only made the varsity team as a bench player at first. But by senior year, after practicing a ton, he became the starting point guard. He led his team to 20 wins and the regional championships. But he still didn’t get any scholarship offers for college ball.
Luckily, an old friend of Scottie’s coach got him a grant to join the University of Central Arkansas team as a manager. This allowed Scottie to practice with the team while also doing chores like laundry.
Over time, Scottie earned a spot as a walk-on player. He then hit another growth spurt to 6’8″. His skills took off too. By senior year, he was averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds per game. He got named an All-American.
The little boy from Hamburg who once dreamed of the NBA was now catching the attention of pro scouts. Scottie’s journey from humble beginnings to college stand-out made him an unlikely hero. His perseverance helped him inch closer to his childhood dream.
Before you go
Check out these articles below, they’ve got some cool stuff you might like:
Join Now and Enter to Win a FREE NBA Basketball Jersey! 👇
Related Posts
Kenya Lee
