Scottie Pippen announces death of eldest son, Antron: 'A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon'

NBA legend Scottie Pippen announced on Monday the sudden death of his son, Antron. He was 33.

Pippen, who played for the Chicago Bulls, shared a series of photos of his eldest child on Instagram and penned an emotional tribute to his memory. The basketball great did not identify a cause of death.

"I'm heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron," said Pippen, 55. "The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game."

"Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn't had it, I truly believe he would've made it to the NBA. 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," the six-time NBA champ said.

While calling for prayers for Karen McCollum, his ex-wife and Antron's mother, as well as his friends and family members who loved him, Pippen continued" "A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again."

Pippen and McCollum wed in 1988 and divorced in 1990. Antron was their only child.

The basketball legend remarried in 1997 and welcomed four more children with current wife Larsa Pippen.

The "Real Housewives of Miami" alum honored her stepson on social media, writing in an Instagram Story, "Some truths in life are hard to accept. Your memories will never be forgotten! They will always remain with us forever. You are forever in our hearts, we love u and will miss u always Rip Antron."