Scottie Pippen Announces Death of Son Antron at Age 33 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen announced on Monday that his son, Antron, died at the age of 33. 

Pippen released the following statement on Twitter:

Scottie Pippen @ScottiePippen

I’m heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron. The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game. (1/3)

Scottie Pippen @ScottiePippen

Please keep his mom, Karen, and all of his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again. 🙏🏾 (3/3)

Antron Pippen played college basketball at both Texas A&M International University and South Georgia Technical College. He also played for the World Basketball Association's Upstate Heat in 2013. In his statement, Pippen said he believed that Antron would have reached the NBA if he hadn't had chronic asthma.

SGTC Jets @SGTCJets

The Jets family was saddened to learn of the death of one of our former players, Antron Pippen. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Antron was a Jet during the 2006-2007 season. #Jetfamily #SGTCJets

"He's a late bloomer like me," Scottie Pippen told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2006 regarding Antron's basketball game (h/t the Chicago Sun-Times). "He's probably better than I was as a high school player."

Antron Pippen was a highly regarded high school player in his own right and learned to accept the extra attention he received by being an NBA star's son.

"I'm used to the expectations," he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2006. "When I was younger, it bothered me. I was trying to prove to people that I could play. I'm very proud of my father. But I can only be myself."

He was Pippen's only child with Karen McCollum. The two divorced in 1990.  

Fellow NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson was among those in the basketball world who shared condolences for Pippen and his family on Twitter:

Earvin Magic Johnson @MagicJohnson

Cookie and I are praying for @ScottiePippen, his ex-wife Karen, and their entire family after the passing of their son Antron. 🙏🏾

Coach Stephon Leary @LearyStephone

So sorry for your loss! I love your son. I had the opportunity to Coach Antron at Texas A&M International Univ. Antron was a joy to Coach and talented player but an even better person. He will be missed! Rest In Heavenly Peace My Friend! ❤️😢🙏🏾

The cause of Antron Pippen's death has not been released.