If you stand Scotty Pippen Jr. next to his dad, the legendary Chicago Bulls forward, the difference is jarring. It’s the first thing everyone notices. Scottie Pippen Sr. was a 6-foot-8 point-forward who moved like a gazelle and defended like a nightmare. His son? He’s built differently. He’s faster, lower to the ground, and frankly, has had to fight ten times harder just to get a foot in the door because he didn't inherit that massive frame.
People obsess over the Scotty Pippen Jr. height conversation because they want to know if he’s "big enough" for the league. In the NBA, size isn't everything, but it's a huge factor in how teams scout you.
The Real Numbers: How Tall is He Actually?
Let’s get the official measurements out of the way. If you look at the Memphis Grizzlies roster or the official NBA site, Scotty Pippen Jr. is listed at 6-foot-1 or sometimes 6-foot-2. There is a bit of a discrepancy depending on which site you visit.
For example, Basketball-Reference and several official team sheets have him at 6'2", while the NBA’s more recent tracking data often slots him in at 6'1". Why the mix-up? It usually comes down to whether they’re measuring with shoes on or barefoot. Back in the day, the NBA used to let guys add an inch or two with sneakers. Now, they’ve tightened up the rules, but those old 6'2" or even 6'3" listings from his Sierra Canyon and Vanderbilt days still float around the internet.
Honestly, he’s a true 6'1" guy. He weighs in at about 170 to 185 pounds. That makes him one of the smaller guards in the league, but he’s got a secret weapon that most people ignore: his wingspan.
The Wingspan Factor
While he might be on the shorter side for an NBA player, his arms tell a different story. His wingspan is roughly 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6. That’s a massive advantage.
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Think about it this way: a 6'1" guy with a 6'6" reach plays a lot more like a 6'3" or 6'4" guard defensively. It's how he’s able to average 1.7 steals per game like he did in the 2023-24 season with Memphis. He gets into passing lanes, pokes the ball away, and contests shots that a guy with "normal" arm length simply couldn't reach.
Living in the Shadow of Scottie Sr.
It’s gotta be tough. Your dad is one of the greatest players of all time, a Hall of Famer, and a physical specimen. Scottie Sr. grew late; he entered college as a 6'1" walk-on and ended up 6'8". Everyone kept waiting for Scotty Jr. to have that same growth spurt. It just never came.
Instead of growing taller, Scotty Jr. grew more skilled. He’s a playmaker. He’s a floor general. He spent three years at Vanderbilt becoming the focal point of the offense because he knew he couldn't just rely on raw athleticism or height to get him to the next level.
"I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder. Being 'Scottie Pippen's son' means people expect you to be a certain way, but I’ve had to find my own path." — Paraphrased from various player interviews.
Comparing the Pippens
| Feature | Scotty Pippen Jr. | Scottie Pippen Sr. |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6'1" - 6'2" | 6'8" |
| Weight | ~185 lbs | 210-220 lbs |
| Position | Point Guard | Small Forward / Point Forward |
| Draft Status | Undrafted (2022) | 5th Overall (1987) |
The contrast is wild. His dad was a defensive anchor who could guard 1 through 5. Scotty Jr. is a specialist. He’s a "ball-hawking 3PT shot hunter." He’s there to disrupt the other team's point guard and knock down open looks.
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Does the Height Actually Hold Him Back?
In some ways, yeah. You aren't going to see Scotty Jr. finishing at the rim over 7-footers with a thunderous dunk. He has to be craftier. His 2K26 ratings reflect this—his "Close Shot" and "Layup" ratings are high (88 and 82 respectively), but his "Standing Dunk" is a measly 25. He’s a ground-bound player who uses floaters, change of pace, and body control to score.
But here’s the thing: being smaller makes him a nightmare to guard on the perimeter. He’s got a lower center of gravity. His speed and agility (both rated 82) allow him to blow by bigger, slower guards. In the modern NBA, where spacing and shooting are king, being 6'1" isn't the death sentence it used to be—as long as you can shoot and defend.
And boy, can he shoot. In the 2023-24 season, he shot over 40% from three-point range. That’s elite. When you combine that with his playmaking—averaging over 4 assists per game—you see why the Grizzlies took a chance on him.
The Memphis Grizzlies Era
After a stint with the Lakers where he barely saw the floor, Pippen Jr. found a home in Memphis. The Grizzlies have a history of loving "gritty" players. Think Tony Allen or Marcus Smart. Scotty fits that mold perfectly. He’s a pest on defense.
Even with a recent big toe surgery sidelining him for a chunk of the 2025-26 season, the team clearly views him as a long-term piece of their rotation. He’s currently under contract through 2027, making about $2.2 million a year. Not bad for an undrafted kid everyone said was too small to make it.
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Recent Performance Highlights
Before his injury in late 2025, Scotty was putting up some serious numbers. We’re talking about games with 30 points and 11 rebounds against the Thunder. To get 11 rebounds as a 6'1" guard? That tells you everything you need to know about his effort. He isn't playing like he's small. He’s playing like he’s the biggest guy on the court.
What You Should Watch For
If you’re tracking his career, don't just look at the Scotty Pippen Jr. height on the stat sheet. Look at these three things instead:
- Defensive Deflections: Watch how often he gets a hand on the ball. His wingspan makes him play "taller" than he is.
- Pick-and-Roll Navigation: Because he’s smaller, he can weave through screens that bigger guards get stuck on.
- Shooting Consistency: If he stays around 40% from deep, he’ll have a 10-year career in this league regardless of his height.
Basically, Scotty Pippen Jr. is proof that the name on the back of the jersey gets you noticed, but the work you put in is what keeps you there. He’s not his father, and he’s finally okay with that. He’s carved out a niche as a high-IQ, high-effort backup point guard who can start in a pinch and won't get bullied.
How to Track His Progress
If you want to keep an eye on his recovery and return to the Grizzlies lineup, follow these steps:
- Check the Grizzlies Injury Report: He had toe surgery in late 2025, so keep an eye on his "Return to Play" timeline, usually updated weekly.
- Monitor G-League Assignments: Sometimes the Grizzlies send him down to the South Bay Lakers or their own affiliate to get reps after an injury.
- Watch the "Steals" Column: It’s the best indicator of his physical health and engagement level. If he’s getting 1.5+ steals a game, his mobility is 100%.
The height debate is mostly noise. At the end of the day, the hoop is still 10 feet tall, and Scotty Pippen Jr. has figured out exactly how to reach it.