Justin Pippen finds home at Cal after “terrible” year at Michigan

BERKELEY — The son of the Hall of Famer arrived in college last season expecting to be part of something special.

Instead, Justin Pippen hardly played as a freshman point guard at Michigan. He averaged fewer than 7 minutes and just 1.6 points per outing and never got on the floor for any of the Wolverines’ three NCAA tournament games.

“It was terrible, to be completely honest,” the youngest son of Scottie Pippen said. “You have no rhythm offensively. You kind of go into a hole where you’re wondering, ‘Am I really able to play at this level? Do they trust me? What is it?’”

While Michigan moved forward with a team that has compiled a 25-1 record so far this season and is ranked No. 1, Pippen found a home in Berkeley, helping Cal generate its best season in a decade. The Bears (18-8, 6-7 ACC) will continue pursuit of their first NCAA bid since 2016 when they host rival Stanford (16-10, 5-8) on Saturday afternoon at Haas Pavilion.

Pippen said his self-belief never faded during his year at Ann Arbor. He merely needed an environment where the feeling was mutual.

Cal coach Mark Madsen recruited Pippen out of Sierra Canyon High School in suburban Los Angeles, even making a home visit. “He believed in me,” Pippen said, referring to their reunion last spring. “He told me I would be able to play through mistakes and get the experience I needed.

“I trusted him on that and they trusted me. They put the ball in my hands, they told me I was going to be the point guard. And it’s worked out ever since.”

Pippen averages 14.4 points and 4.4 assists for a team that has clinched the program’s first winning season since 2017.

“His game is unfolding right before our eyes,” Madsen said, “and he can still do more things out there.”

He did much more last month when the Bears claimed a 78-66 victory over Stanford at Maples Pavilion. In addition to contributing 18 points and six assists, Pippen was the primary defender assigned to Ebuka Okorie, who put up 36 points against North Carolina has since broken Stanford’s freshman scoring record.

Ebuka never found a rhythm, shooting 1 for 16 from the field, including 0 for 9 from the 3-point arc.

“He took that matchup very personally, very seriously,” teammate John Camden said of Pippen. “I think he showed he’s one of the best defenders in the ACC.”

In every way, Pippen is enjoying the ride.

“It’s been extremely fun being around this group of guys. We all love to play together . . . this is probably the most chemistry I’ve ever had on a team,” he said. “Couldn’t really ask for more.”

Actually, what he wants more than anything is a trip to the Big Dance. Cal, ranked No. 61 in the NET computer, has work to do in its final five regular-season games and the ACC tournament to climb off the NCAA bubble.

“As a team, I want to obviously make it to the NCAA tournament. That hasn’t been done here in a minute,” Pippen said. “Not only just get in there, but win a couple games, win a lot of games. I feel like as soon as you get to the tournament, anything can happen.”

Scottie Pippen played college ball at Central Arkansas, which was an NAIA school at the time, so he never experienced March Madness. But as a six-time NBA champion, he is an invaluable resource for Justin.

Growing up, Justin spent time in the backyard playing 2-on-2 with his Dad and two older brothers. Scotty Jr. now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in his fourth NBA season.

Scottie Pippen didn’t always go easy on the kids during their sessions.

“He was very cool. Back then, I felt like his body wasn’t as beat up and we’d play in the backyard all the time,” Justin said. “He would always make me cry. I grew up in a very competitive household.”

Justin welcomed the sometimes tough mentoring. “I feel like my dad had no choice but to push, just to kind of (show) what it was going to be like for us.”

Scottie Pippen attends most of Cal’s weekend games, home and road. Pregame and afterward, he and Justin text or talk. He’ll encourage Justin to pick up his energy or be more aggressive. He may offer defensive tips.

“He’s my biggest critic,” Justin said. “It feels great coming from him. He’s an NBA legend, so him giving me confidence is great.”

Madsen said Pippen’s family is his secret weapon.

“Justin’s parents are world-class. Forget about him as a Hall of Fame player — Scottie Pippen is a world-class father,” Madsen said. “Just from a family support standpoint, Justin really has it all.”