Scottie Pippen's eldest son Antron dies aged 33

Scottie Pippen announced his son Antron Pippen's death, aged 33, on Twitter on Monday

Pippen has four children with his estranged second wife Larsa Pippen and three from two previous relationships, including one daughter who died shortly after birth. 

'I'm heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron. The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game,' Pippen, who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, tweeted. 

'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. 

'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 followed in his father's footsteps to play basketball ball at Texas A&M International University. 

He also played at South Georgia Technical College back in the 2006-2007 season. 

The 33-year-old was Pippen's eldest son from his first marriage to Karen McCollum. The pair were married for two years from 1988 to 1990

Antron is pictured above as a child with his parents Scottie and Karen. His parents split when he was a toddler in 1990 after two years of marriage

Antron later played semi-professional ball with the World Basketball Association after signing to South Carolina's Upstate Heat team in about 2013. 

He is believed to have then moved to Atlanta where he played for a local team. 

Antron reportedly worked in Atlanta as a machine technician prior to his death. 

Several of Pippen's other children have also followed in their father's footsteps, including his son Scotty Pippen Jr. who currently plays for Vanderbilt University and last week declared for the NBA draft without signing with an agent. 

Pippen's other children include: Daughter Taylor with ex Sonya Roby; daughter Sierra with ex Yvette Deleone; sons Scotty Jr., Preston, Justin and daughter Sophia with his estranged wife Larsa Pippen. 

His other daughter Tyler, who was Taylor's twin, died just nine days after birth. 

Pippen was taken to court by his two ex-girlfriends, Sonya Roby and Yvette Deleone, to prove the paternity of the children.

The basketball great regularly shares photos on Instagram of his four youngest children who he shared with Larsa. 

It is not clear how much of a relationship he has with his other children.  

In a heartfelt tribute, the 55-year-old said Antron could have made it to the NBA had it not been for his chronic asthma

Antron was Pippen's only child from his first marriage to Karen McCollum. The pair were married for two years from 1988 to 1990. Antron is pictured above with his mother Karen

Antron played at South Georgia Technical College back in the 2006-2007 season. They paid tribute to him following his death, saying his family and friends were in their thoughts and prayers