<p>NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jerry-stackhouse-scottie-pippen-basketball-scotty-pippen-0c66a0bcda65eff912b3c1ecacf217ea">guard Scotty Pippen Jr.</a> has declared for the NBA draft without signing with an agent to keep his options open. </p>
<p>Pippen announced his intentions Saturday morning <a href="https://twitter.com/spippenjr/status/1380890997555658759?s=20">with a social media post</a>. He said he was blessed to come to Vanderbilt. </p>
<p>“We all have dreams and I am ready to pursue mine," Pippen said. </p>
<p>The son of six-time NBA champ and one of the league’s 50 greatest players Scottie Pippen, he ranked second in the Southeastern Conference both in scoring at 20.8 points and with 4.8 assists a game. He ranked 16th nationally in scoring per game. </p>
<p>Coach Jerry Stackhouse said Pippen earned the right to check out his draft status and has Vanderbilt’s full support. </p>
<p>“He has shown tremendous growth in his time here at Vanderbilt, and his record-setting sophomore season was just a peek at his potential,” <a href="https://twitter.com/VandyMBB/status/1380895774817542149">Stackhouse said in a statement.</a> “We want Scotty to make the best decision for him and his family and we will help any way we can while he explores his options.”</p>
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<p>More AP college basketball coverage: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a></p>
