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Justin Pippen will suit up for Ohio State next season, and his decision drew his father, Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, to Columbus to see the Buckeyes’ atmosphere firsthand. The move has basketball circles talking, not only because of the family name, but because Scottie publicly vouched for the Buckeyes and coach Jake Diebler. Their arrival signals high expectations for a program aiming to climb in the Big Ten and make a deeper NCAA Tournament run.
Why Ohio State became the Pippens’ choice
Scottie Pippen cited several reasons why his son picked Ohio State. He stressed the program’s ambition and the coach’s personal connection with the Pippen family.
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- Title aspirations: The family wants to be part of a group that can realistically chase a national championship.
- Trust in the coach: Jake Diebler’s relationship with the family played a major role.
- Fit and opportunity: The Buckeyes’ roster and style of play appeared to offer Justin a clear role.
Scottie recalled that Diebler once recruited his other son out of high school and had expressed a desire to coach a Pippen. That history created a sense of trust. The elder Pippen described feeling comfortable enough to entrust his son to Diebler’s leadership.
What Justin Pippen adds to Ohio State’s roster
Justin arrives with proven production and playmaking experience. He projects as a guard who can both create and defend.
- Season averages: 14.2 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.
- Rolled as a key contributor on a California team that won 20 games.
- Age and upside: At 20, he still has room to refine his game.
Those numbers underline his potential as a secondary scorer and primary ball-handler. Coaches value players who can balance scoring with playmaking.
Strengths, weaknesses, and areas to improve
Justin’s game comes with clear positives and things to polish. Ohio State will likely focus on maximizing his strengths while addressing shooting consistency.
- Strengths: Court vision, defensive activity, and clutch playmaking.
- Work to do: Shooting efficiency from inside and beyond the arc.
- Current shooting splits: Roughly mid-30s from the field and low 30s from three.
How Jake Diebler might deploy Pippen
Diebler inherits a guard with ball-handling and defensive instincts. That profile can be molded to multiple roles.
Possible roles
- Primary or secondary ball-handler on pick-and-roll sets.
- Defensive assignment on opponent guards with switchable responsibilities.
- Playmaker off the ball in motion offense to exploit passing lanes.
Combining Justin with a high-level recruit and existing pieces could create a multifaceted backcourt. The coaching staff will aim to improve his shot selection and efficiency.
Outlook for the Buckeyes and March prospects
Ohio State reached the NCAA Tournament recently but exited early. The program hopes incoming talent moves the needle.
- Team needs to demonstrate consistency versus Big Ten competition.
- Integrating transfers and freshmen will be crucial in preseason.
- Realistic targets: improve conference standing and secure a deeper tournament seed.
Scottie Pippen made his hopes clear: he wants his son to experience more than an appearance in March. He envisions cutting down the nets with Ohio State, and the coach-player chemistry is a key reason for that belief.
