Pippen’s nephew gets preseason shot
Like many kids in Hamburg, Ark., (population: 2,662), Kavion Pippen grew up idolizing Bulls legend Scottie Pippen.
Unlike most of his peers, though, Kavion often peppered Scottie with questions. Such are the perks of being the hometown hero’s nephew. As he prepares for his first NBA preseason, with the Warriors, Kavion finds himself leaning on Uncle Scottie’s advice.
“He’s telling me just to focus in, obtain as much knowledge from the veterans here, play hard and get better,” said Kavion, an undrafted rookie out of Southern Illinois whose mother is Scottie’s sister.
Last Thursday, Kavion received a call from his agent saying the Warriors — eager to bolster an injuryravaged frontcourt — wanted him in for a tryout. By 5 a.m. the next morning, he was flying from Little Rock to San Francisco, where he would work out that afternoon against multiple other big men for a preseason roster spot.
At 6foot10, 240 pounds with a soft touch around the rim, a textbook midrange jumper and aboveaverage shotblocking ability, Pippen convinced Golden State’s front office that he was capable of pushing more established centers in practice. Providing anything more than that would be a welcome surprise. With Willie CauleyStein (foot), Kevon Looney (hamstring) and rookie Alen Smailagic (ankle) injured, the Warriors are currently starting Omari Spellman —a power forward — at center.
Though Pippen probably isn’t ready for a guaranteed NBA contract, he could impress enough in preseason to warrant a spot with Golden State’s G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. That wouldn’t be a bad option for someone who spent this past summer working out at Central Arkansas — his famous uncle’s alma mater — in hopes of landing a professional contract somewhere, anywhere.
“The big thing is we’re just so beaten up at the center spot, so we need him to help us get through camp,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who won three NBA titles (199698) with Scottie Pippen on the Bulls. “He’s a young and athletic kid. … It’s great experience for him.”
Kavion Pippen didn’t start organized basketball until he was 12. In part because his mother didn’t let him play AAU until his senior year at Hamburg High, he didn’t receive any Division I scholarship offers and landed at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo., where he surfaced on midmajor programs’ radar.
Kavion considered transferring to Central Arkansas, but decided he wanted to carve out his own legacy at a school not synonymous with a family member. As a senior last season at Southern Illinois, he ranked second on the team in scoring (12.8 points per game) and third in rebounding (5.6), earning thirdteam allconference honors.
His No. 33 jersey was a notsosubtle nod to Uncle Scottie, who called him shortly after hearing Kavion would spend preseason with the Warriors.
“He was a big part of my life,” Kavion said. “As a kid, he helped me out and kind of was that father figure that I looked up to.”
Richmond grieves: Former Warriors guard Mitch Richmond shared some heartbreaking news Tuesday: His youngest son, Shane, unexpectedly died Monday night. He was 20.
“We are heartbroken and devastated with this tragic news, and will use the strength of our family and the thoughts and prayers of our friends to get through this incredibly difficult time,” Richmond said in a prepared statement. “Shane was a ray of light for his two brothers, sister, mom and dad and, at only 20 years of age, had a wealth of friends and admirers who will desperately miss his warm affection and smile.
“As we go through the grieving process and the loss of our son, we ask that you respect our privacy.”
In March 2013, Shane Richmond was reported missing from his Calabasas (Los Angeles County) home, but returned home safely shortly thereafter.
His father, Mitch, is a sixtime NBA AllStar who, along with Warriors teammates Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin, was part of the famed “Run TMC” from 198991.