Sad News From NBA, Scottie Pippen's First Son Dies

Antron Pippen (Instagram @scottiepippen)

JAKARTA - NBA legend Scottie Pippen announced Monday that his first son, Antron Pippen, had died at the age of 33.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my first son, Antron," wrote Pippen in an upload on his personal Instagram account, @scottiepippen, on Monday night, as quoted by Antara.

"We share a love for basketball and who knows how many talks about this sport. Antron has severe asthma and if not for that, I believe he would have made it into the NBA.

"But he has never failed me, Antron has always been positive and works hard, I am proud of him," wrote Pippen in the same upload.

Antron appeared in three matches for the University of Texas A & M-International basketball club in the 2008/09 NCAA competition.

Playing in the guard position, Antron also briefly strengthened the South Georgia Technical College.

"A person with a good heart and a good soul goes too fast. I love you, son, rest until we meet again," wrote Pippen.

Pippen, who owned six NBA championship rings while defending the Chicago Bulls, has eight children. His daughter Tyler died just nine days after being born in 1994.

Another of Pippen's sons, Scottie Pippen Jr., has submitted to the 2021 NBA Draft which will be held this month but remains open to the option of returning to Vanderbilt University.