Scottie Pippen’s eldest son Antron dies at the age of 33

Scottie Pippen says his eldest son, Antron, has died at the age of 33. The former Chicago Bulls star described his son as a “beautiful soul”.

Pippen confirmed the news in a post on social media. “I’m heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron,” Pippen wrote. “The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game.”

The NBA hall of famer did not disclose a cause of death, but said Antron suffered from asthma. He was Pippen’s only son with his first wife, Karen McCollum.

Related: Scottie Pippen: 'I told Michael Jordan I wasn’t too pleased with The Last Dance'

“Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn’t had it, I truly believe he would’ve made it to the NBA,” Pippen wrote. “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. Please keep his mom, Karen, and all of his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again.”

Antron inherited his father’s athletic ability and played college basketball for Texas A&M International University. He was living and working in Atlanta at the time of his death.

Antron is the second of Pippen’s eight children to have died. One of his daughters, Tyler, died nine days after her birth in 1994.