NBA player Scotty Pippen Jr. relishes first taste of PH basketball

MANILA, Philippines—Scotty Pippen Jr. relished his visit to Manila, meeting members of the Filipino basketball community, including PBA star Scottie Thompson, who was named after his father.

The Memphis Grizzlies guard met the Barangay Ginebra standout during an NBA-backed event on Thursday at SM Megamall.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Yeah, definitely cool. Cool dude. Super accomplished player,” Pippen said.

“Just hearing all the accolades he has is definitely surreal and crazy to see what he’s done here.”

WATCH: Scotty Pippen Jr. on his visit to the Philippines, his father Scottie, and Memphis’ upcoming NBA season. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/nYP6aB1hAI

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) July 30, 2026

Beyond learning about Thompson’s accomplishments, Pippen was amused to find out the Gilas Pilipinas guard was named after his father.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I think it’s also super crazy that he was named after my dad and we’re both here years later. So I think it was super cool to meet someone like that,” Pippen said.

Pippen also recalled his time at Vanderbilt, where he teamed up with former University of the Philippines center Quentin Millora-Brown.

“Me and him played two years together. My third year, he was a redshirt, but really good dude. That’s my guy. I was always a hard worker. I was a smart player, so he’s still my guy,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Before returning for an NBA season in which he is expected to take on a bigger role with the rebuilding Grizzlies, Pippen said he appreciated experiencing the Philippines’ passion for basketball.

“I would say just seeing little kids playing outside on the street when I was driving in and just being around my hotel, just seeing how the fans all knew me and just seeing how they had basketball on all the TVs. So I’ve definitely been able to see how big basketball here is in the Philippines,” he said.