A second-generation basketball star is looking to follow in his legendary father's NBA footsteps.
Vanderbilt star Scotty Pippen Jr. -- the son of Basketball Hall of Famer and Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen -- declared himself eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Commodores standout retained his collegiate eligibility, meaning he could still potentially return to the amateur ranks.
"To my friends, teammates, coaches, and everyone else who has been part of my journey, I appreciate you more than you know and none of this would be possible without ya'll. I was blessed to have the opportunity to come to Vanderbilt University and throughout the highs and lows, the Commodore community has been amazing. I'll never forget that.
"We all have dreams and I am ready to pursue mine. Therefore, I will be declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft while retaining my college eligibility."
The 20-year-old, 6-foot-1 sophomore has outperformed his modest billing as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, averaging nearly 21 points and 2 steals per game in 32 minutes last season, en route to a First-Team All-SEC nod. He also started and played well as a freshman two seasons ago, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors.
Despite his pedigree and two strong seasons in the SEC, Pippen isn't quite the professional prospect his father was back in 1987, when he went fifth overall to the Seattle Supersonics and later traded to the Chicago Bulls.
The senior Pippen forged his legend playing alongside Michael Jordan in Chicago, where they memorably won six NBA titles together, in two separate three-peats.
Pippen Jr. was born in 2000 in Portland, where his father was playing with the Trail Blazers after his tenure in Chicago and one season with the Houston Rockets.