Scotty Pippen Jr has perfect response to mum Larsa’s dating antics

Scotty Pippen Jr is following in his famous father’s footsteps, making good on his promise after his mum’s love life made headlines.

Scotty Pippen is following in his father's footsteps.

Scotty Pippen Jr could not have been clearer when his mum’s love life dominated the headlines late last year.

“Focused on myself and my goals. I’m not responsible for nobody’s actions. All good over here,” he wrote on social media amid the storm that erupted when Larsa Pippen, 46, was spotted getting cosy with married 24-year-old NBA star Malik Beasley.

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The college basketball player, who has ambitions of following his famous father Scottie into the NBA, also liked a host of tweets at the time sympathising with the young gun over being placed in an awkward situation by his mum’s dating decisions.

But Scotty is doing what he said he would and staying focused — and it’s leading to some seriously impressive results.

Vanderbilt may have lost by seven to Florida on Thursday but it wasn’t through lack of trying on Scotty’s behalf. The 20-year-old poured in a career-high 32 points to go with five rebounds and six assists as he achieved something special in the process.

Per ESPN, Scotty has now scored at least 15 points in 10 consecutive games — the longest streak by a Vanderbilt player since John Jenkins in 2011-12 and the longest streak by anyone in his college’s Southeastern Conference this season.

Instead of being sidetracked by the outside noise surrounding his mum, Scotty is channelling every ounce of energy into making sure he graduates to the NBA.

Scotty Pippen Jr is flying high.

His dad Scottie Pippen is a Chicago legend who teamed up with Michael Jordan as the Bulls dominated the 1990s, winning six championships. And he’s proving an invaluable resource as his son searches for every little gain he can find.
“Coach Stack (Jerry Stackhouse) tells me what the team needs, making sure everyone gets the ball,’’ Scotty told AP. “But my dad, he tells me little things like, ‘Running up and down the court you don’t look like you’re in shape’ … So I get critique on both ends. I’m used to it now.

“I’m mature enough to know that my dad had some success. I know he wants the best for me. I know he knows a lot about the game. He’s been there, he’s done what I want to do.

“So you know, I trust him.’’

Scotty is just one of four players in America averaging more than 20 points (20.6) and five assists (5.3) a game. COVID-19 shut down the season last year but Scotty didn’t stop working, going home and strengthening his body to make him an even tougher prospect for opposition defences.

Late last year Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse praised his star pupil’s basketball IQ and said “he’s definitely playing like an all-league player and possibly an All-American if he keeps it up”.

“He’s responsible for about half of their points in production offensively,’’ Tennessee coach Rick Barnes added of Scotty’s improvement. “I love his demeanour that he plays with.”

It’s that demeanour that helped Scotty keep his mind on the job when his mum was pouring fuel on the fire by hitting out at critics of her romance with Beasley.

“Don’t judge me until you know me. Don’t underestimate me unless you challenge me. And don’t talk about me until you’ve talked to me,” Pippen posted to her Instagram stories last month.

Beasley’s wife Montana Yao was blindsided when she saw her man with Larsa, lashing him publicly and filing for divorce soon after — although the pair’s relationship had reportedly been on the rocks for some time.

Larsa filed for divorce from Scottie in 2018 and Scotty Jr is one of four children the pair have together.

Originally published as Scotty Pippen Jr has perfect response to mum Larsa’s dating antics