After declaring for the NBA Draft on April 10, Vanderbilt point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. officially withdrew his name from draft consideration on Wednesday and will return to Vanderbilt for his junior season. He announced his decision to do so via his Instagram and Twitter.
The 6’1″ California native competed in the NBA G-League Elite Camp June 19-21 with hopes of earning himself an NBA Combine invitation. He participated in two scrimmages, but did not stand out enough to earn himself a special invite. He was also not ranked among the top 60 NBA Draft prospects by ESPN or The Athletic.
Pippen Jr. brought home All-SEC First Team honors last season and set a Vanderbilt sophomore record for points per game in a single season (20.8). He elected to test the NBA Draft waters thanks to his standout second season, but will now return to school for his junior year as one of the most talented SEC returnees.
His return creates much needed stability for head coach Jerry Stackhouse, who saw seven former scholarship players transfer this offseason. Stackhouse was, however, able to retool with a number of transfer additions. Most notably, he added Minnesota big man Liam Robbins and TCU forward Terrren Frank—a former teammate of Pippen Jr.’s at Sierra Canyon High School.
For the time being, Pippen Jr.’s return finalizes Vanderbilt’s 2021-22 roster after Gardner-Webb transfer Jamaine Mann filled the team’s final scholarship with his commitment on June 17.
