Pippen Returns to Big Ten After Season at Cal

Justin Pippen, a sophomore combo guard from the University of California, Berkeley, has committed to transfer to Ohio State. The announcement was made on April 10, 2026, via his agents at WME Basketball.

Pippen is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and is returning to the Big Ten conference. This move makes him a rare player to have played for both sides of the intense rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State, as he spent his freshman season with the Wolverines.

Breakout Performance at Cal

Pippen arrives in Columbus following a breakout sophomore campaign with the California Golden Bears. During the 2025-26 season, he appeared in 32 games, starting every contest for the program.

His statistical contributions at Cal were significant, as he averaged 14.2 points per game. He also recorded 4.6 assists and between 3.6 and 3.9 rebounds per game, depending on the reporting source.

Pippen was a primary engine for the Bears’ offense, leading the team in assists and finishing as the second-leading scorer behind Dai Dai Ames. His leadership on the court helped guide Cal to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Roster Impact for the Buckeyes

Ohio State views Pippen as a key addition to their backcourt for the 2026-27 campaign. He is expected to fill a role similar to that of departing guard Devin Royal.

Pippen is the first transfer portal commit of the current cycle for the Buckeyes. The program is currently looking to replace several key pieces, including star guard Bruce Thornton and forward Devin Royal, both of whom entered the transfer portal earlier in the week of April 10, 2026.

The Buckeyes are coming off a 2025-26 season in which they finished with a 21-13 record. Their season concluded in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to TCU.

Career Path and Background

Pippen’s collegiate journey began at Michigan, where he was the first high school recruit for coach Dusty May during the 2024 offseason. During the 2024-25 season, he appeared in 28 games for the Wolverines, averaging 6.6 minutes per game.

Following Michigan’s victory over Texas A&M in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Pippen entered the transfer portal. This occurred shortly after the portal opened, which at the time was before the conclusion of the tournament.

Before his college career, Pippen played high school basketball at Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles. During his four seasons with the Trailblazers, the team posted an overall record of 91-22 and achieved three 20-win seasons.

Pippen is the son of Scottie and Larsa Pippen and the younger brother of Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. He is also first-cousins with Kavion Pippen.

As a high school prospect, Pippen gained experience practicing with NBA players during offseason workouts, including Kevin Durant, Jalen Green, Devin Booker, and Kenyon Martin Jr.