Larsa Pippen paid tribute to Antron Pippen, the eldest son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen who died Sunday at the age of 33.
“Some truths in life are hard to accept,” Larsa wrote in a post on Instagram. “Your memories will never be forgotten! They will always remain with us forever. You are forever in our hearts, we love u and will miss u always Rip Antron.”
Scottie Pippen, who had Antron with ex-wife Karen McCollum, announced the news in a series of tweets Monday.
“I’m heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron,” he wrote alongside photos of Antron. “The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game.”
I’m heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron. The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Zt3wo8wpcg
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 19, 2021
Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would've made it to the NBA. He never let that get him down, though—Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/kJOWsvWiYQ
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 19, 2021
Please keep his mom, Karen, and all of his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again. 🙏🏾 (3/3) pic.twitter.com/eYyQ6pcdtx
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 19, 2021
No cause of death was given, but Pippen said his eldest son, who was born Dec. 29, 1987, suffered from chronic asthma.
Larsa and Scottie were married in 1997 and share four kids together: Scotty Pippen Jr., 20, Preston, 18, Justin, 15, and Sophia, 12. Scottie filed for divorce in 2016, and Larsa refiled in 2018. The status of their case remains unclear.
“Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would’ve made it to the NBA,” Scottie said of his son, who also played basketball. “He never let that get him down, though—Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became.”
Antron played for South Georgia Technical College. After news of Antron’s death emerged Monday, the team honored him on social media.
“The Jets family was saddened to learn of the death of one of our former players, Antron Pippen,” the statement read. “His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Antron was a Jet during the 2006-2007 season.”
The Bulls legend, who was named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all time after winning six championships with Chicago, concluded his post by asking for prayers for Antron’s family and friends. “A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon,” Pippen wrote. “I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again.”
