NBL Finals 2024: Scottie Pippen’s son considers joining Next Stars

CROSSCOURT: The son of an NBA legend could land in the NBL after a stunning endorsement of the league’s Next Stars program. Plus, the NBA fight on cards as Sydney begins to rebuild its Kingdom.

Scottie Pippen’s son is seriously considering becoming an NBL Next Star – and he has the backing of his six-time NBA championship-winning father.

Justin Pippen, 19, is a 6’3” and 81kg shooting guard currently playing his senior year of US high school basketball for Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles.

Pippen junior has received US college offers from Texas, California, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona and Santa Barbara, but his Hall of Fame father believes the NBL’s proven Next Stars program is also a strong career choice.

“He (Justin) has potential, so I feel like the NBL’s Next Stars program can be a (pathway) for him,” said Pippen, who is in Australia to promote the NBL Finals and his ‘No Bull’ speaking tour alongside fellow Chicago Bulls legends Horace Grant and Australia’s own Luc Longley.

Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen has endorsed the NBL’s Next Stars program during his No Bull speaking tour. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

“He is a very smart kid. It is going to be his decision whether he wants to experience college or come play basketball at the next level in Australia.

“I think both get you there (to the NBA), but one is a fast-track (the NBL) and the other one is at your pace.

“The NBL allows you to be in the gym more than college and you are pushed into the basketball world and it’s all about getting better.

“Whereas if you go to college I feel like it is a slower pace of your development.”

Scottie Pippen was a star for the Chicago Bulls during their golden run in the 1990s. Picture: Focus on Sport via Getty Images

Justin Pippen is following his basketball dream and hopes to emulate his dad, Scottie’s, success in the NBA. Picture: Getty

The NBL’s Next Stars has become a globally respected program following the success stories of players like Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball.

Giddey (Adelaide) and Ball (Illawarra) used the Next Stars as a launchpad to the NBA with the OKC Thunder and Charlotte Hornets respectively.

The program attracted a record seven Next Stars this season – with five players in the mix for this year’s draft – including Perth’s seven-foot Frenchman Alex Sarr as a potential No.1 selection.

Pippen rates how the NBL’s Next Stars program prepares emerging players for the physical and mental realities of professional basketball.

He can see a world where his son could also benefit from a playing stint Down Under.

“You get an opportunity to play against professionals in the NBL – and while it might be mentally challenging being away from home – you aren’t at home when you go pro anyway.

“Coming to (Australia) can help you build that mental strength that you need at the highest level.”

LaMelo Ball was taken with the No.3 pick in 2020 NBA Draft after a season in the NBL with the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

Pippen is looking forward to attending Wednesday’s must-win Play-in between the Sydney Kings and the New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena.

As a six-time champion he understands the expectation that comes with being the best, but he has urged the Kings to embrace the pressure of must-win post-season basketball.

“You have to value those possessions a lot more than what you would in the regular season,” he said.

“The team will have to be at their best because there is no tomorrow. Hopefully they (the Kings) have a healthy roster because there is no time for healing.”

NBL hits magic million mark

One million NBL fans have streamed through the turnstiles for the first time in nearly three decades as the league continues its explosion in popularity.

The NBL playoffs tipped off on Wednesday night with the one-millionth supporter rewarded with courtside seats at the Play-in clash between Tasmania and Illawarra at MyState Bank Arena.

The Magic milestone was achieved in 41 less games than the previous 1996 peak, meaning the average of 7131 fans per game is a record that equated to a 15 per cent jump on last season.

“The appetite for the NBL is at an all-time high and that is highlighted by our best total attendance in almost 30 years,” NBL chief executive David Stevenson said.

“The fans are the lifeblood of our League, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.

“Their unwavering passion and support of the competition, and its teams, is unbelievable and we are forever indebted to their commitment.

“To pass one million fans with most of the finals series still ahead is an incredible achievement and a sign of the NBL’s standing on the summer sporting scene.”

Across the ten clubs, there were 33 sellouts on the season. Fourteen of those were in Tasmania, where the expansion JackJumpers have never had a seat unaccountable in the 4340 capacity MyState Bank Arena, while Melbourne United hit maximum ticket sales eight times at John Cain Arena.

“The League has never been in a stronger position both on and off the court, and we are excited to continue our growth trajectory across the Finals and into the future,” Stevenson said.

NBA fight in way of Sydney’s Kingdom rebuild

On top of the six players off-contract at season’s end, fan favourite guard Angus Glover is no certainty to remain at the Kings despite having a season to run on his contract.

It’s understood rival clubs have expressed interest in Glover, who would need a release from Sydney to join another team for NBL25.

Crosscourt has been told the NBA interest in emerging athletic freak Jaylin Galloway is “significant”.

“He has aspirations to get as high as possible,” a source said.

Jaylin Galloway has interest from NBA teams. Picture: Getty

Galloway is highly-rated by Boomers coach Brian Goorjian and seen as a player who could be part of future Olympic and World Cup campaigns.

It leaves Sydney in a position where the club could be forced to reload the majority of the roster for the second straight season.

The Kings had to scramble at the start of NBL24 after losing a cast of championship-winning stars, including Xavier Cooks, Justin Simon, Derrick Walton Jr, Tim Soares and Dejan Vasiljevic.

Angus Glover is no certainty to be on the Kings’ books next year – despite being under contract. Picture: Getty

Sydney faces a similar scenario this season following an inconsistent campaign that has left the defending champion’s title defence on a knife’s edge.

The Kings must beat the Breakers on Wednesday to keep their season alive.

If they win, they’ll have another Play-in game against the loser of the Tasmania and Illawarra clash on Monday.

Sydney possess the talent to make a finals run, but their sluggish defence is problematic.

The Kings have leaked 2602 points, placing them in ninth position in points conceded.

Only the last-placed and injury-ravaged South East Melbourne Phoenix have leaked more points (2691).

Sydney’s slide has heaped pressure on first-year coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, who is no guarantee to return next season despite having a season to run on his contract.

Kings head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah is under pressure to keep his job after a difficult season. Picture: Getty

Abdelfattah insists he isn’t feeling the heat heading into Wednesday’s must-win clash against New Zealand.

“I don’t check social media ... I stay off of that stuff because at the end of the day, the people probably questioning my job have no clue what the job takes,” Abdelfattah said.

“I don’t feel any pressure.

“We’re preparing as if we want to win the championship, whether it’d be our first, second, or if it’s a three-peat.

“I know that you don’t get many opportunities to do so, so I know what’s at stake but there’s no pressure on my end.”

Denzel Valentine believes the Kings can still make a post-season impression. Picture: Getty

Import guard Denzel Valentine says Sydney’s struggles has steeled the team to make a post-season charge.

“I feel like we didn’t meet our expectations this year so I think like we’ve got a little chip on our shoulder,” Valentine said.

“We been up and down all season but we know what we’re capable of. When we’re at our best, we’re pretty fricking good.

“We’ve just got to come out with that same energy, intensity and focus and we’ll be fine.”

Hoops fest to head west?

The NBL’s plan for a ‘Festival of Basketball’ – in the vein of the NRL’s Magic Round and the AFL’s Gather Round - is nearing fruition.

Crosscourt has been told, while it’s yet to be made official, the league is deep in talks to open the NBL25 season in Perth, in partnership with Basketball Australia and the WNBL.

It’s understood all NBL clubs will likely play their round-one games in WA throughout the September event, while every WNBL club is also mooted to feature.

BA is set to run a junior tournament during the festival, touted as a celebration of the sport, with off-court attractions to complement the action.

It’s the brainchild of NBL boss David Stevenson, who was instrumental in the establishment of the AFL’s highly successful Gather Round.

The NBL will could go west for their version of NRL’s Magic Round and AFL’s Gather Round in a concept which is the brainchild of CEO David Stevenson. Picture: Getty Images

“As we have previously stated, bringing the entire basketball community together is something we are looking at and exploring,” Stevenson said.

“We see immense value in getting the community together to showcase our sport and continue its growth.

“A concept like this gives us the chance to do something unique and special, and whilst no formal arrangements are in place, we have a strong desire to make it happen if all the stars align.”

Finals quirk - Top spot not all it’s cracked up to be:

Melbourne United achieved its goal of finishing on top and gaining home-court advantage throughout the NBL Finals but an imperfect system has thrown up a quirk that gives second-placed Perth a little leg up in its semi-final series.

Both United and the Wildcats will be fixated on Wednesday night’s Play-in Tournament double-header — for different reasons.

The Wildcats will know by about 7.30pm AEDT who their semi final opponent will be, with the winner of the clash between Tasmania and Illawarra straight through to a game one date in Perth on March 8.

Melbourne United head coach Dean Vickerman was named Coach of the Year for a third time after steering his side to the top seed. Picture: Getty Images

That’s an eight day head start. For United, though, they will have to wait until Monday evening to know who they will play in their semi final series, which tips off on Thursday week — a night earlier than Perth. For those playing at home, that’s a three-day prep.

It might seem trivial but, in a league so tight just three of six finals spots were secured heading into the last round, any competitive advantage is vital.

For United coach Dean Vickerman, though, it just means the club’s scouting and preparation will involve two teams until they are separated on Monday night.

“We’re going to know the two teams that are possible after the game on Wednesday so we can go ahead and do as much scouting as we need to do on those opponents and then when Monday comes around, we’re into it.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman and his staff will have a three-day preparation ahead of the NBL Semi Finals. Picture: Getty Images

“We don’t control any of those things so this whole focus has been on us and I think when we’re focused more on us this season, we’ve been a better team anyway,” Vickerman said.

We know our areas we need to improve on going into the playoffs and if we do those really well, we’ll be tough to beat.”

Vickerman has taken an outside-the-box approach to helping his charges navigate the 18-day break between the last game of the regular season and its first playoff game, engaging NBL referees boss Scott Butler to provide referees for a pair of intra-club game simulations.

“I’m wary of how much load we get into them but we’ve just tried to have a normal week building up to a game,” Vickerman said.

“It’s been good for us, we sent the teams out a couple of days before, guys were starting to communicate with each other on how they would approach it.

“Teams are going to play a couple of games before they play us so it was important for us to try to get two quality games in ourselves.

“We’ll have another crack on Saturday.”

2024 NBL FINALS

Wednesday, February 28

Seeding qualifier: Tasmania JackJumpers vs Illawarra Hawks at MyState Bank Arena from 5.30pm (AEDT)

Play-in qualifier: Sydney Kings vs New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena from 7.30pm (AEDT)

Originally published as NBL Finals 2024: Scottie Pippen’s son considers joining Next Stars