Scotty Pippen Jr. Says He Feels Healthiest He Has in NBA

Scotty Pippen Jr. went through training camp this week with the Memphis Grizzlies in Nashville, Tennessee, where he played three college seasons at Vanderbilt. The guard spoke during camp at Belmont University in comments reported by Sam Dicus of Belmont Vision.

Pippen's foot has bothered him since he arrived in the NBA.

"I feel good," Pippen said. "It's probably the best I've felt since I've been in the league. Coming into the league, I was hurt then. My foot's been bugging me since then, so it's the first time I've felt healthy and good."

Last season ended in March. The Grizzlies announced March 13 that Pippen would have a sesamoidectomy on his right big toe, and he had the surgery four days later. He had undergone the same procedure on his left big toe in October 2025.

That first surgery delayed his season debut until Feb. 6. Pippen appeared in 10 games and started six, averaging 11.4 points, 4.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 21.2 minutes. He shot 44.8 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from 3-point range, and 78.3 percent at the free-throw line.

The season before, Pippen played 79 games and averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 21.3 minutes.

General manager Zach Kleiman said at Monday's media day that Pippen and Jaylen Wells were full go after finishing last season injured, Grizzlies Roundtable reported.

Pippen was one of several guards hurt going into last season. Ja Morant missed the 2025 preseason with a sprained ankle, and Ty Jerome strained his right calf in the preseason finale. Jerome played 15 games.

Memphis lost 564 games to injury and illness in 2025-26, an NBA record, according to the team's game notes. The Grizzlies finished 25-57.

The backcourt Pippen rejoins looks different. Morant went to Portland in a June 29 trade, and Memphis acquired Walter Clayton Jr. from Utah in the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal during last season.

Jerome, Cam Spencer, and Clayton are also in camp. So is Jordan Hawkins, who came from New Orleans on Sept. 8. Memphis has until Nov. 2 to decide on Clayton's team option.

Pippen can sign an extension during the season. ESPN's Bobby Marks listed him as eligible for up to four years and $95 million through June 30, the same terms as Wells.

His father, Scottie Pippen, won six championships with the Chicago Bulls and is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

At Vanderbilt, Pippen made the SEC All-Freshman team in 2020 and was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2021 and 2022.

Memphis plays at the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 6 p.m. CT. The regular season begins Oct. 21, when the Utah Jazz visit FedExForum.