Kavion Pippen Bio
Kavion Pippen (born October 15, 1996) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, he plays the center position and has built his career across developmental leagues, European and African competitions, and international clubs. After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Pippen pieced together a journeyman path that has taken him through Texas, Qatar, Tunisia, Spain, Mexico, New York, and New Zealand. His two seasons at Southern Illinois established him as one of the more productive big men in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Born in Hamburg, Arkansas, Pippen developed his game in his home state before advancing through junior college and into Division I. His professional journey since 2019 has showcased his scoring touch, rebounding, and shot-blocking against a wide range of competition. He comes from a family with deep basketball roots, and those connections have helped shape his understanding of the game.
Early Life and Background
Kavion Pippen was born on October 15, 1996, in Hamburg, a small city in Ashley County in southeastern Arkansas. He grew up in the same region where he would later attend high school, building his early game against local competition. The Pippen family name carries significant weight in basketball circles, and Kavion was surrounded by the sport from a young age.
He attended Hamburg High School in his hometown, where he developed into a Division I prospect at the center position. Standing 6 feet 10 inches, Pippen had the physical tools to compete at higher levels by the time he finished his prep career. His high school years laid the foundation for his next step, which took him to the junior college ranks.
Path to Basketball
After graduating from Hamburg High School, Pippen enrolled at Three Rivers College, a junior college program in Missouri. From 2015 to 2017, he spent two seasons refining his skills and growing into his frame as a true post player. His performance there earned him an opportunity to transfer to a Division I program.
In 2017, Pippen committed to Southern Illinois University, joining the Salukis of the Missouri Valley Conference. Across his two seasons in Carbondale, he averaged 12.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, demonstrating a balanced interior profile. Those numbers, paired with his defensive presence, drew the attention of NBA scouts heading into his senior year.
Kavion Pippen Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Following the 2019 NBA draft, where Pippen went undrafted, he earned a brief preseason opportunity with the Golden State Warriors. He did not secure a roster spot with Golden State but transitioned quickly to the developmental level. On October 26, 2019, the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League acquired his rights, giving him his first professional home.
In 27 games during the 2019-20 season with the Austin Spurs, Pippen averaged 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. The campaign provided him with valuable minutes against professional competition and helped him adjust to the speed of the pro game. When the G League season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pippen began looking for opportunities abroad.
International Stint (2021-2022)
In January 2021, Pippen joined Al Sadd of the Qatari Basketball League. He appeared in one game for the Qatari club before moving on later that spring. In March 2021, he signed with Étoile Sportive de Radès of the Tunisian Championnat National A, where he thrived. Across 14 games in Tunisia, Pippen averaged 17.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game, posting double-doubles with regularity.
His strong Tunisian campaign attracted European suitors, and on August 13, 2021, he signed with Real Valladolid Baloncesto of Spain’s LEB Oro. In 34 games during the 2021-22 season, Pippen averaged 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, providing a steady interior presence for the Spanish side. The European season helped round out his game against a different style of play.
Return to the Americas (2022-2023)
In August 2022, Pippen joined Soles de Mexicali of Mexico’s LNBP, where he played 14 games and averaged 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game during the 2022 season. Later that October, he returned to the NBA G League by joining the Long Island Nets for the 2022-23 campaign. In 23 games with Long Island, he averaged 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, re-establishing himself in the American developmental system.
On April 15, 2023, Pippen signed with the Nelson Giants for the remainder of the 2023 New Zealand NBL season. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across nine games before parting ways with the club on June 8, 2023. He briefly returned to the Long Island Nets in October 2023 but was waived on November 8 of that year.
Maine Celtics Era (2024-2025)
On October 26, 2024, Pippen was selected by the Maine Celtics in the 2024 NBA G League draft, marking his return to the NBA G League ecosystem. The Maine Celtics serve as the affiliate of the Boston Celtics, giving Pippen a platform within a high-profile organization. He has continued to serve as a traditional center, contributing scoring, rebounding, and rim protection.
The Maine Celtics era represents a stable chapter in a career that has spanned multiple continents and leagues. Pippen’s experience in varied systems, from Tunisia to Spain to New Zealand, has given him a versatile foundation. His continued presence in the G League keeps him within the orbit of NBA opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pippen’s most impressive professional stretches was his 14-game run with Étoile Sportive de Radès in 2021, where he averaged a double-double and emerged as one of the top performers in the Tunisian league. His signing with Real Valladolid Baloncesto on August 13, 2021, also represented a milestone, marking his first sustained European campaign. Selection in the 2024 NBA G League draft by the Maine Celtics further cemented his standing within the professional basketball landscape.
Kavion Pippen Career Achievements
During his time at Southern Illinois, Kavion Pippen earned recognition as one of the conference’s top big men. He was named to the Third-team All-Missouri Valley Conference in both 2018 and 2019, a back-to-back honor that highlighted his consistency. In 2019, he also earned a spot on the MVC All-Defensive Team, reflecting his value as a rim protector and rebounder. As a transfer in 2017-18, he was selected to the MVC All-Newcomer Team, signaling his immediate impact at the Division I level.
Missouri Valley Conference Honors
Pippen’s Missouri Valley Conference recognition spanned three distinct awards across two seasons. The MVC All-Newcomer Team nod in 2018 introduced him as a force in his first season with the Salukis. Back-to-back Third-team All-MVC selections in 2018 and 2019 underscored his sustained production. The MVC All-Defensive Team honor in 2019 capped his college career by recognizing his presence on the back end of the floor.
Kavion Pippen Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Kavion Pippen comes from one of basketball’s most recognized families. He is the nephew of Scottie Pippen, the Hall of Fame forward who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan. Growing up around that legacy gave Kavion early insight into the work ethic and preparation required at the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Kavion Pippen is also cousins with fellow basketball players Scotty Pippen Jr., who has played in the NBA G League and NBA, and Justin Pippen. He is additionally cousins with volleyball player Taylor Pippen. The extended Pippen family has produced multiple athletes across different sports, and Kavion continues that tradition as a professional basketball player.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Kavion Pippen’s professional situation centers on the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League, who selected him in the 2024 G League draft. The Maine Celtics operate as the affiliate of the Boston Celtics, providing a structured environment and exposure to NBA coaching philosophies. Pippen’s veteran experience, accumulated across G League, European, African, and Oceanic leagues, gives him a steady role within the rotation.
Throughout the early portion of 2025, Pippen continued to log minutes at the center position, contributing scoring in the post, rebounding on both ends, and rim protection. His familiarity with the G League’s pace and style allows him to mentor younger players while still pursuing his own development. With the NBA G League season structured around the broader NBA calendar, opportunities can arise quickly.
Looking ahead, Pippen’s goal remains earning an NBA call-up, a path several journeyman big men have successfully navigated. His combination of size, length, and international experience makes him a viable option for teams seeking frontcourt depth. The remainder of the 2025 season will be a critical stretch in determining whether that next step materializes.