For years, fans have wondered why Scottie Pippen spells his name with an ie, while his son, Scotty Pippen Jr., uses a y. Is it a family tradition? A legal name change? Or maybe just a mistake that stuck?
Turns out, it’s none of those. The younger Pippen recently cleared things up during an appearance on Run It Back – and the explanation is refreshingly ordinary.
“My dad was actually born ‘Scotty’ with a y,” said Pippen Jr., who currently plays with the Memphis Grizzlies. “But once he got to the league and started signing a ton of autographs, he just switched to ‘ie’ because it was easier.”
Yes, a signature shortcut gave birth to one of the most recognizable names in basketball history. No legal changes, no branding consultants – just a Hall of Famer with a cramping hand and a long line of fans.
A Name That Evolved with Fame
The shift may seem small, but it became permanent. From trading cards to All-Star ballots, “Scottie” with an ie became the default. Meanwhile, his son stuck with the original spelling, which sometimes makes things more confusing than necessary. “I feel like I should’ve gone with ‘ie’ just to keep it simple,”Scotty Jr. joked. “But it’s cool to be a little different.”
Different, yes – but not distant. Pippen Jr. says he’s proud to carry his father’s name, even if the expectations that come with it are heavy. At 24, he’s learning to navigate a league where his surname opens doors and raises eyebrows.
In a recent HoopsHype interview, he reflected on the pressure: “I felt it more in high school, honestly. Back then, people only saw me as his son. Now, I feel like I’m carving out my own identity.”
And he is. From impressive G League outings to NBA minutes with Memphis, Scotty Jr. is building his own legacy – letter by letter, game by game.
For fans still scratching their heads about the ie vs. y mystery, well, now you know. Sometimes, the most iconic things in sports start with something as simple as a quicker way to sign your name.
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