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NBA legend Scottie Pippen announced the death of his eldest son, Antron Pippen on his social media accounts on Monday, April 19.

The Basketball Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bulls forward said he was heartbroken over the death of his son Antron, who passed away at only 33 years of age.

Scottie Pippen with his eldest son, Antron / Source: @scottiepippen (IG)

“I'm heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron,” Pippen said in his statement. “The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game.”

Antron grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia and graduated from Collins Hill High School.

Scottie's son played one season of junior college basketball at the South Georgia Technical College from 2006 to 2007, and also a season of Division II basketball back from 2008 to 2009 at the Texas A&M International University.

Antron Pippen during his younger years / Source: @scottiepippen (IG)

Antron also played for the Upstate Heat in the now-defunct World Basketball Association in 2013, where he had an average of 21.6 points, 6.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game, as well as seizing three steals per game and shooting 85% from the free throw line.

The former NBA star did not disclose Antron's cause of death but said his son had chronic asthma.

“Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn't had it, I truly believe he would've made it to the NBA,” Pippen tweeted. “He never let that get him down, though--Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became.”

Aside from writing a touching tribute to his son, Pippen also asked for prayers for the loved ones that Antron left behind.

“Please keep his mom, Karen, and all of his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers,“ he pleaded. “A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again. 🙏🏾”

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A post shared by Scottie Pippen (@scottiepippen)

Antron is the oldest among Pippen's seven children and his only son from his first marriage to Karen McCollum.

Pippen and Karen got divorced in 1990 and he went on to marry Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Younan in 1997, but unfortunately that marriage got divorced in 2018.

He and Larsa had four children together, namely: Scotty Jr., Preston, Justin, and Sophia.

Pippen also has a daughter named Taylor with former girlfriend Sonya Roby and another daughter named Sierra with his former fiancée Yvette de Leon.

NBA team Chicago Bulls, for which Pippen played 17 seasons for and won six championships alongside Michael Jordan, sent their sympathy to their former star by reposting Pippen's post.

The Chicago Bulls tweeted, “The entire Bulls family is deeply saddened to see this news today. We are all thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. May Antron rest in peace.”

The entire Bulls family is deeply saddened to see this news today. We are all thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. May Antron rest in peace. https://t.co/SHuHDDuxoa

-- Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 19, 2021

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