Antron Pippen, the oldest child of Scottie Pippen, reportedly passed away at the tender age of 33. The ex-Chicago Bulls icon described his son as a “beautiful soul”. Antron was the one and only son from Scottie’s first wedlock with Karen McCollum. Karen and Scottie parted ways with each other in 1990 when son Antron was 3 years old.
He grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, and was the eldest of Pippen’s seven kids. After completing his high school education at Collins Hill, he continued playing basketball at university at South Georgia Tech and Texas A&M International.
Antron additionally played for the Upstate Heat in the now-defunct World Basketball Association in 2013, averaging 21.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game while also grabbing three steals per match and shooting 85% from the free throw line.
The NBA Hall of Famer claimed that Antron had been battling with chronic asthma, but didn’t prefer disclosing his cause of death. Being in the NBA was his greatest ambition, therefore he was convinced that had he not been victimized by his asthma issues, he would’ve made it to the NBA. In addition, he claimed that despite suffering from this awful condition, he continued to put himself forth and never let asthma get him down at any point in his life.
Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would’ve made it to the NBA. He never let that get him down, though—Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/kJOWsvWiYQ
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 19, 2021
“He never let that get him down, though – Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became. 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,” Scottie said. (h/t via TODAY)
Furthermore, he articulated the heaviness of his heart and hoped that someday, they would cross paths again. He’d been miserable after his death and lamented that he’d gone too soon. Fans had speculated that the cause of his death must’ve had something to do with his chronic disease.
Scottie Pippen expresses grief after the demise of Antron Pippen
NBA All-Star Scottie Pippen had reflected on his devastating loss two months following the tragic demise of his son Antron. The former athlete, who claimed to have been “good” but had also endured “moments of ups and downs,” spent Father’s Day in June 2021 setting up a basketball camp in his native state Arkansas.
In April, Pippen posted on Instagram to share the news of Antron’s passing away. He wrote, “I’m heartbroken to share that, 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.”
He added, “Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would’ve made it to the NBA. He never let that get him down, though- Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man he became.”
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Pippen served 17 seasons playing for the Chicago Bulls, where he garnered six titles. After Antron passed away, the team shared a brief moment of silence in honor of his memory. The jumbotron in the arena displayed Antron’s portrait during the dedication ceremony. Pippen posted a message on Instagram, expressing his gratitude. He had shown his appreciation to every one who had reached out to him to share his misery.