Justin Pippen Enters Transfer Portal After Michigan’s March Madness 2025 Run

In a post-March Madness development, Michigan Wolverines freshman guard Justin Pippen – the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen – has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The move comes on the heels of Michigan basketball’s exciting March Madness 2025 run, which saw the Wolverines reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2022. Pippen’s decision to transfer was confirmed by reports on March 24, 2025, as Michigan’s postseason journey unfolded. Pippen played a limited role during his lone season at Michigan, making 28 appearances off the bench and averaging just 6.6 minutes per game. In those minutes, he contributed 1.6 points per contest on 27.3% shooting from the field. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, his pedigree and potential have kept fans intrigued – especially given that he hails from a famous basketball family. Now, with Michigan’s season in the rear-view mirror and roster changes imminent, Pippen is seeking a new opportunity via the transfer portal.

Michigan Basketball’s March Madness 2025 Run

Michigan’s March Madness 2025 campaign was a bright spot for the program and its supporters. Under first-year head coach Dusty May, the Wolverines exceeded expectations in the NCAA Tournament. On March 22, Michigan upset the 4-seed Texas A&M Aggies 71-69 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. This marked Michigan’s first Sweet 16 appearance since the 2021-22 season, a sign that the team is back on the national radar after a couple of down years. The Wolverines’ success was fueled by strong performances from key players like Roddy Gayle Jr. (who dropped 26 points off the bench against Texas A&M) and transfer center Vladislav Goldin, among others.

Notably, Justin Pippen did not see action in the NCAA Tournament games, as he had been sidelined in late March due to a concussion. In fact, reports indicated Pippen was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after entering concussion protocol. Thus, Michigan’s deep tournament run occurred largely without the freshman guard’s on-court contributions. Still, the team’s postseason performance was a boost to the program’s reputation. Michigan entered the tournament as a bit of a dark horse – oddsmakers had listed the Wolverines around +8000 to win the national title before the NCAA Tournament began. By reaching the Sweet 16, Michigan outperformed many expectations and rewarded bettors who took a chance on them in early rounds. The March Madness run not only energized the fan base but also set the stage for higher expectations in the coming seasons.

Justin Pippen’s Freshman Season at Michigan

Pippen appeared in 28 games for Michigan as a freshman reserve, averaging 1.6 points per contest in 6.6 minutes per game. Justin Pippen arrived in Ann Arbor with a notable name and a solid high school résumé. As a four-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon High School in California (a program known for producing top talent), Pippen was ranked No. 69 overall in the 2024 recruiting class. He averaged 16.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in his senior year of high school, earning a regional Breakout Player of the Year honor.

Choosing Michigan and head coach Dusty May’s program for his college career, Pippen carried high hopes of developing into a key backcourt contributor over time. In the 2024-25 season, however, Pippen’s role with the Wolverines was relatively limited. Michigan’s backcourt featured experienced guards and other talented newcomers who soaked up most of the playing time. Pippen primarily saw minutes in a reserve capacity, often entering games to spell the starters or in lower-stakes moments. He averaged 1.6 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in those limited minutes. His shooting percentages (27.3% from the floor and 26.7% from three-point range) reflected the small sample size and the typical adjustment period for a college freshman.

Despite modest statistics, Pippen showed flashes of his potential. Teammates praised his basketball IQ and poise; they noted that he “doesn’t look like a freshman” on the court and plays with a maturity beyond his years. In one early-season matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne, Pippen even tallied a season-high 10 points, giving a glimpse of his scoring ability. Those moments fed the belief that, given time, he could grow into a larger role. Observers felt Pippen had the pedigree and instincts to eventually become a lead guard for Michigan in a couple of years.

Unfortunately for Pippen, the immediate path to significant playing time at Michigan was clogged by depth and experience ahead of him. As the season progressed, it became evident that cracking the rotation consistently would be a challenge. When he suffered a concussion late in the season, it effectively ended his freshman campaign and kept him out of Michigan’s postseason games. By the time the Wolverines were making noise in March, Pippen had to watch from the sidelines.

Reasons Behind Pippen’s Transfer Decision

The decision to enter the transfer portal is seldom made lightly, and in Justin Pippen’s case there are several understandable factors. First and foremost, it’s a matter of opportunity. Michigan’s roster outlook for the 2025-26 season suggested that Pippen might continue to have limited playing time if he stayed in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines’ backcourt is expected to remain crowded: veteran guards Tre Donaldson and Roddy Gayle Jr. can return for their senior seasons, rising sophomore L.J. Cason carved out a bigger role late in the year, and a five-star guard recruit (Trey McKenney) is set to join the team next season. With so much talent in the guard rotation, Pippen likely saw a tough road to climbing the depth chart at Michigan.

From Pippen’s perspective, transferring offers a chance to find a program where he can play a more impactful role sooner. After all, he only has three years of eligibility left, and making the most of that time is crucial for his development and any aspirations of following in his father’s NBA footsteps. By entering the portal, Pippen can be recruited by other schools and choose a situation that better fits his goals – whether that’s more playing time, a system that suits his style, or a team in need of a guard with his skillset.

Timing also played a role. The NCAA’s transfer portal window for basketball opened in late March, meaning players across the country began announcing transfers as soon as their seasons ended. In fact, Pippen and his representation moved quickly once the portal opened on March 24. Some might find it surprising that the news broke while Michigan was still technically in the tournament, but this has become the new normal in college hoops. Player movement now happens rapidly – even mid-tournament – as athletes look out for their futures in the era of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities.

Pippen’s decision, while coming during Michigan’s Sweet 16 run, “makes sense for his basketball future,” one Michigan insider noted. Another factor is fit. Justin Pippen committed to Michigan under Coach Dusty May’s regime, and while the team found success this year, Pippen may seek a different style of play or a fresh start elsewhere. Sometimes a highly touted player just needs a new environment to unlock their potential.

By exploring transfer options, Pippen can find a program that has a clear role carved out for him. Given his pedigree and flashes of talent, he should garner interest from numerous schools. As one analysis pointed out, he likely has enough game tape from practices and limited action to land a reserve role with another power-conference team, or even secure a starting role at a strong mid-major program in need of backcourt help.

In summary, playing time, roster competition, and the modern ease of transferring all contributed to Pippen’s decision. It’s a move aimed at setting himself up for long-term success, even if it means leaving a program that just had a thrilling March Madness run. For Michigan, it’s a departure of a young talent who could have been a factor down the line, but it’s also an opportunity to free up a scholarship for potential transfers into the program. In today’s college basketball landscape, roster turnover is constant, and Pippen’s exit is a reminder of that reality.

Impact on Michigan Basketball and Future Odds

For the Michigan Wolverines, Justin Pippen’s transfer will have an impact, albeit one that is more future-focused than immediate. Since Pippen was not a core rotation player during the 2024-25 season, his departure doesn’t drastically change Michigan’s current team strength. The Wolverines’ Sweet 16 run was achieved with virtually no on-court input from Pippen, so fans and bettors shouldn’t view his transfer as a crippling loss in the short term.

The more significant impacts are in terms of depth and potential. From a roster standpoint, Michigan loses a promising young guard who might have developed into a contributor in the next couple of years. That slightly thins out the backcourt pipeline for the Wolverines. However, as noted, Michigan is bringing in a five-star freshman (McKenney) and likely retaining veteran guards, so the team should remain strong on the perimeter. Head coach Dusty May may also use the open scholarship to attract another transfer player to Ann Arbor, perhaps even an experienced guard to replace Pippen’s spot on the bench.

In essence, Michigan’s immediate outlook for the 2025-26 season remains positive – they have a core capable of competing in the Big Ten and making another NCAA Tournament run, even without Pippen. When it comes to betting implications, Pippen’s exit is not likely to move the needle on Michigan’s odds in any major way. Sportsbooks set future odds based on expected lineups and team strength, and since Pippen was a fringe contributor, oddsmakers probably weren’t counting on him as a key piece.

Michigan’s odds to win the 2025-26 NCAA championship or to reach next year’s Final Four will hinge more on whether stars like Vladislav Goldin or Roddy Gayle Jr. return, how the incoming recruits perform, and what other moves (if any) Michigan makes in the transfer portal. The Wolverines showed in 2025 that they can contend, so they will likely enter next season with moderately strong odds (perhaps as a Top 20 contender nationally). That status shouldn’t change dramatically due to the loss of a reserve freshman guard.

However, bettors should keep an eye on Michigan’s roster moves in the offseason. If Michigan compensates for Pippen’s departure by adding another impactful player via transfer, it could even boost the team’s projections. Conversely, if unexpected additional departures occur, that could hurt team continuity. In any case, Michigan basketball appears to be on an upward trajectory under Coach May, and the program’s momentum from the March Madness 2025 run will carry into next year. Pippen’s transfer is a footnote in that bigger picture.

What’s Next for Justin Pippen?

As Justin Pippen enters the transfer portal, the focus turns to where he might land and how he can develop at his next destination. At this time, Pippen has not publicly announced any shortlist of schools, so speculation is rampant. Given his background and the interest that typically surrounds four-star recruits, we can expect numerous programs to reach out. Pippen will be evaluating his options in the weeks to come, looking for a program that offers both the right fit and a clear path to playing time.

One possibility is that Pippen could return closer to his California roots. West Coast schools or other Pac-12 (soon to be Big Ten or Big 12, considering conference realignment) programs might be interested in adding a guard with his skills and famous lineage to their roster. Another route could be following family ties or familiar connections – for instance, his older brother Scotty Pippen Jr. found success at Vanderbilt; while Vanderbilt might not specifically be in play, other SEC or mid-south schools could appeal if Pippen Jr.’s experience sets a positive example.

It’s also worth noting that Pippen is represented by Klutch Sports Group, an agency known for high-profile basketball clients. With professional representation in his corner, Justin Pippen will have guidance in navigating the transfer process and finding a program that aligns with his long-term ambitions.

From a development standpoint, the next college season will be critical for Pippen. Whichever team lands him will likely give him the opportunity to earn a bigger role than he had at Michigan. Fans should remember that Pippen is still early in his college career – he will be a sophomore with plenty of room to grow. His combination of basketball IQ, solid fundamentals, and the experience of having been part of a Sweet 16-caliber program could make him a breakout candidate in the right situation.

Pippen has basketball “in his blood,” as teammates have noted, and a fresh start might unlock more of his potential. We’ll be watching closely to see which school Justin Pippen calls home next. The college basketball offseason and transfer carousel will undoubtedly feature many moves, but Pippen’s transfer is among the notable ones due to his name recognition and upside. Wherever he goes, that team will be getting a motivated player with a chip on his shoulder, eager to prove himself. And Michigan fans, while disappointed to lose a Pippen, will surely wish him success – except, perhaps, if they meet him on the court down the line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Justin Pippen enter the transfer portal?
Justin Pippen entered the transfer portal primarily to seek more playing time and a better fit. At Michigan, he was stuck behind older, established guards and a five-star recruit is incoming, meaning his future minutes would be limited. By transferring, Pippen can find a program where he can have a larger role. The transfer portal opening in late March 2025 provided a timely opportunity for him to make this move. In short, he’s looking for a situation that maximizes his development and usage on the court.

How does Justin Pippen’s transfer affect Michigan basketball?
Pippen’s departure slightly impacts Michigan’s backcourt depth, but it shouldn’t significantly hurt the team’s performance. He was a reserve player, so Michigan’s core rotation remains strong. The Wolverines still have key guards likely returning (e.g. Tre Donaldson, Roddy Gayle Jr.) plus a top recruit coming in. Michigan can also use Pippen’s vacated scholarship to recruit a transfer or additional talent. From a betting perspective, oddsmakers are unlikely to change Michigan’s future odds simply due to this transfer, since Pippen was not a major contributor yet. Michigan’s outlook for next season – after a Sweet 16 run – remains optimistic, with the team still projected to be competitive in the Big Ten and nationally.

Is Justin Pippen Scottie Pippen’s son?
Yes. Justin Pippen is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, a legend from the Chicago Bulls’ championship teams. The younger Pippen’s family ties have been well-publicized; his lineage garnered attention when he was a high school recruit. Despite the famous last name, Justin is forging his own path in college basketball. His decision to transfer is about finding the best fit for his career, independent of his father’s legacy.

How did Justin Pippen perform in his freshman season at Michigan?
In the 2024-25 season, Justin Pippen played sparingly for Michigan. He appeared in 28 games, coming off the bench and averaging about 6.6 minutes per game. In that time, he averaged 1.6 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. His shooting percentages were 27.3% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range. These modest stats reflect a limited role, as Michigan had a veteran-laden lineup. Pippen did show glimpses of potential – for example, scoring 10 points in one early season contest – but generally he was a supporting piece as a freshman. It’s expected that with more minutes and opportunities at his next school, his production will increase as he grows into a larger role.