A legend, not only in the NBA but also at UCA, Scottie Pippen is proof of the growth you can make in college.

Pippen came to UCA as an average high school graduate from Hamburg, Ark. He came to UCA on a work study arrangement that he would be the basketball team’s manager.

“Scottie first came to UCA not highly recruited; he did not have a scholarship. He was a 6-foot-1, 150-pound young man that looked non-athletic,” former Bears basketball coach Don Dyer said.

During his four years in college from 1984-1987 and then in his NBA career, Pippen grew to 6-foot-8.

As Pippen went through school he started to improve in his basketball and academic skills.

“Scottie was always a quiet, laid back young man. During his junior year he became more outspoken since he had various interviews with the newspapers and news stations,” Dyer said.

Throughout the years, Pippen became a leader on and off the basketball court.

“Pippen was a hard worker. He never had a big head, so he was able to lead the team and be a team player. He was active on campus, he was even a mentor for fellow students,” Dyer said.

By Pippen’s senior year at UCA he averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Also he had a 59 percent field-goal percentage.

Pippen was the number five draft choice for the Seattle Supersonics in the 1987 NBA Draft. He was then immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice.

“This was UCA’s biggest athletic accomplishment at that point,” UCA Sports Information Director Steve East said.

Dyer said the NBA contract Pippen signed was crucial for his family.

“The money the NBA paid was great,” Dyer said. “Scottie was able to help support his family, they needed a break.”

During the 1990-91 NBA season, Pippen won his first NBA championship with the Bulls. He scored 17.8 points per game, 511 assists, 595 rebounds and 193 steals during the season.

Dyer said he was invited numerous times by Pippen to watch him play once in Virginia and many times in Chicago. Dyer said it was great to watch a former player of his play in the NBA.

“Only one percent of college basketball players make it to the NBA. He had a great opportunity and he worked hard to make the best out of it,” Dyer said.

In the 1991-92 season, Pippen started in his first all-star game and was selected to play on the U.S. Olympic basketball “Dream Team.”

East said: “I covered Pippen a lot during his career as I was working for the Arkansas Democrat and also The Echo. I was a big fan.”

In 1994, Pippen played in the all-star game and received Most Valuable Player.

“It is great to see former players succeed in life and do so many things in their career to make them legends,” Dyer said.

Throughout the year Pippen still improved on his skills on the court. He received various awards throughout his career.

“Being able to see the improvements he had made from a walk on to a college team, to being on the all-star team was amazing,” East said.

Pippen won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team in the 1996 Olympics. He was also named as one of the top 50 NBA players of all time.

“It was great being a fan of Scottie through his NBA career. I still talk to him this day. It’s great to see a student from UCA doing well in whatever field their in,” Dyer said. “With them getting their degree and being a teacher, a coach or even a former NBA superstar it’s still a great feeling to know I help impact their life,” Dyer said.

Pippen retired from the NBA before the 2003-04 season.