Scottie Pippen Questioned After Fan Assaulted at Malibu Restaurant

Scottie Pippen, the Chicago Bulls NBA Hall of Famer, has been questioned by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office over an alleged assault with a fan at Malibu's Nobu restaurant that landed the man in the hospital.

The Los Angeles Times reported authorities are investigating Scottie Pippen Monday after an incident at Malibu's Nobu restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway. The Chicago Bulls basketball legend was wanted on suspicion of assault with intent to commit great bodily injury but has not been charged.

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Witnesses reportedly told officers that a man who appeared to be intoxicated confronted Pippen, which escalated into a physical scuffle, Sunday night at the restaurant. When authorities arrived, the unidentified man had a head injury and was taken to a local hospital. The victim was released from the hospital Monday, according to The Times.

Authorities told the Chicago Tribune that the man took several photos of Scottie Pippen and his family inside the restaurant as they ate. When Pippen and his family were leaving the restaurant, the man reportedly followed them out to the parking lot seeking Pippen's autograph, at which point the argument and alleged assault ensued.

"Mr. Pippen will not be arrested, there's more here than meets the eye," Steven Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles Sheriff's office, told the Chicago Tribune. "We have to investigate and check with all the witnesses and find out exactly what happened."

TMZ.com reported Scottie Pippen punched the man in the face and kicked him repeatedly, knocking him unconscious. The man allegedly suffered broken teeth and a swollen mouth.

Pippen was reportedly cooperative with authorities.

A native of Hamburg, Ark., Pippen is one of the most decorated NBA veterans, winning six league titles with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 11 seasons. His NBA career lasted 17 seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a member of the original "Dream Team" that won the Summer Olympics gold medal in basketball in 1992. He won a second gold medal in 1996. During the 1996-97 season, he was named one of the 50 best players in NBA history.

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