Antron Pippen, eldest son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, dies

Antron, who played basketball at university and shared many of his father’s professional dreams, was the first of Pippen’s seven children and his only child with ex-wife Karen McCollum.

Pippen did not disclose the cause of Antron or his age.

The former Chicago Bull influenced his son to play the sport in which he made a name for himself and improve his game, Antron Pippen said in 2005 from the NBPA Top 100 High School Camp, where he played with future big players like Steph Curry has.

“He tells me a lot of things, like I need to get stronger,” Antron told USA Today from the camp. “I try to make my own game, but I try to defend as he plays.”

He played basketball one season at South Georgia Technical College from 2006 to 2007 and another season at Texas A&M International University from 2008 to 2009, according to his ESPN athlete profile.

Pippen said Monday his son “suffered from chronic asthma” and could also have played in the NBA, even if it wasn’t for his illness.

“However, he never let him down – Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I’m so proud of the man he became,” Pippen tweeted.

The six-time NBA champion fans asked to pray for McCollum and the rest of Antron’s loved ones.