The Cal basketball program has added an intriguing piece to its future backcourt with the transfer of Justin Pippen, son of NBA Hall of Famer and six-time champion Scottie Pippen. The former Michigan guard announced his commitment to the Golden Bears on Tuesday, marking a fresh start after an under-the-radar freshman year in Ann Arbor.
Pippen played just one season with the Wolverines and didn’t even finish the year with the team. He entered the transfer portal before Michigan’s Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a decision that raised some eyebrows but made sense given the portal’s early opening date and the need for players to secure new opportunities quickly. The window opened on March 24, well before the conclusion of March Madness, forcing players on tournament-bound teams into tough timing decisions.
Now at Cal, Pippen has a chance to carve out a bigger role. While he only averaged 6.6 minutes per game in 28 appearances as a true freshman, Pippen showed flashes of potential. His season averages—1.6 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game—weren’t eye-popping, and he struggled from beyond the arc with a 26.7% clip. But in limited action, he showed an ability to handle the ball, play under control, and bring energy off the bench.
More importantly, he finds himself in a better situation for long-term development. Cal’s roster has more room for guard minutes, and head coach Mark Madsen has shown a willingness to give young talent the opportunity to grow on the floor. Pippen’s combination of basketball IQ and NBA pedigree could pay off in a system that values pace and guard creativity.
This move also provides a fresh narrative for a player looking to step out of his father’s shadow. While being Scottie Pippen’s son undoubtedly brings pressure and attention, Justin is clearly focused on creating his own legacy. A transfer to a Pac-12 school like Cal, where he’ll likely earn more playing time and a bigger role in the rotation, gives him a real chance to do just that.
Cal basketball, which is building under Madsen’s leadership, continues to make moves to return to relevance in the conference. With Pippen now in the mix, the Golden Bears are hoping they’ve found a diamond in the rough who just needed a change of scenery to shine.
