Kavion Pippen joined the Salukis two years ago under the promise he’d be starting things out slow and learning while playing the back-up role to Thik Bol. Those plans were scrapped before his first season at SIU had begun when Bol went down with a knee injury that would turn out to be season ending.
Pippen impressed many in the first year of his two year campaign with the Dawgs, starting all 33 games and averaging 12.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, and 1.4 bpg.
“Just thanks to all the coaches and my teammates,” Pippen says of that first season. “Preparing me, helping me get ready through that time last year. They just made the transition very easy.”
This season, Pippen hasn’t slowed down. He’s averaging 12.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 1.9 bpg. That big uptick in blocks has definitely shown too – Pippen became just the seventh Saluki in history to reach 100 blocks in a career in this past Sunday’s win over Loyola.
“Its a great accolade to have and I hope to build from it,” says Pippen.
With the knowledge that Bol would never be 100% for the ’18-’19 season, Pippen knew he needed to step up and be the shot blocker that Bol had been in the past.
“With [Bol], he’s helped me out a lot. Just coaching me and telling me how to block shots. My teammates help me out a lot,” Pippen lauds.
Hear the entire interview here
Pippen and the Salukis have senior day and the season finale against the Illinois State Redbirds this Saturday at 1 P.M. You can hear the game on 101.5 CIL-FM, pregame with Mike Reis begins at Noon.
And make sure to listen to 103.5 ESPN from 10 A.M. until 11:45 A.M. tomorrow for Sportsvoice on Location. Mike Murphy, Scott Hudson, and Dave McKenize will be at Tres Hombres in Carbondale before the game!
The Dawghouse - River Radio Saluki Sports Coverage 