--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I got to Central Arkansas, I was a…" description: "\"When I got to Central Arkansas, I was a small, slim guy with little chance of playing in the NBA. Then, I went through a two-year growth spurt, and sud..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/scottie-pippen-2516_chance_when-i-got-to-central-arkansas-i-was-a-s_599169.jpg" --- # When I got to Central Arkansas, I was a small, slim guy… ![“When I got to Central Arkansas, I was a small, slim guy with little chance of playing in the NBA. Then, I went through a two-year growth spurt, and suddenly, I was 6-foot-7.” quote by Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/scottie-pippen-2516_chance_when-i-got-to-central-arkansas-i-was-a-s_599169.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/scottie-pippen-2516_chance_when-i-got-to-central-arkansas-i-was-a-s_599169.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/scottie-pippen-2516_chance_when-i-got-to-central-arkansas-i-was-a-s_599169.jpg) > “When I got to Central Arkansas, I was a small, slim guy with little chance of playing in the NBA. Then, I went through a two-year growth spurt, and suddenly, I was 6-foot-7.” [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a dramatic physical growth that transformed his basketball prospects, highlighting perseverance and adaptation. **In simple terms:** Growth changed his basketball chances. Key Takeaway Adapt to physical and personal changes. Themes growth perseverance sports Mood determined optimistic Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - high school basketball - college recruitment - professional scouting Key Concepts physical development career trajectory Questions to Reflect On - How did you adjust to your new height? - What role does mindset play in athletic success? A Different Perspective Physical changes alone don't guarantee success; skill and effort matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [NBA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nba/) ## Related quotes > [The odds were against me when I arrived at Central Arkansas. I was barely 6-foot-2 and didn't have a scholarship. But I always felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/the-odds-were-against-me-when-i-arrived-at-central-arkansas-i-was/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [There are a lot of people from my Central Arkansas days that I owe a lot of thanks to for how they helped me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/there-are-a-lot-of-people-from-my-central-arkansas-days-that-i-owe-a/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [Arkansas is a very small state, and it's even a smaller field when you break it down to Republicans in this state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-huckabee-sanders/arkansas-is-a-very-small-state-and-it-s-even-a-smaller-field-when-you/) [Sarah Huckabee Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-huckabee-sanders/) > [“He’s a nice fella,” said Slim. “Guy don’t need no sense to be a nice fella. Seems to me sometimes it jus’ works the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-s-a-nice-fella-said-slim-guy-don-t-need-no-sense-to-be-a-nice/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I feel like I'm more of a slim guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-green/i-feel-like-i-m-more-of-a-slim-guy/) [A. J. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-green/) > [When I was younger I was always big; I was a fat boy at school. I had an early growth spurt, and when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-molina/when-i-was-younger-i-was-always-big-i-was-a-fat-boy-at-school-i-had/) [Alfred Molina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-molina/) > [I was 5-6, a little chubby, spot-up 3-point shooter. So I couldn't blame the schools for not recruiting me. But then my junior year,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mccollum/i-was-5-6-a-little-chubby-spot-up-3-point-shooter-so-i-couldn-t-blame/) [C. J. McCollum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mccollum/) > [I hit a big growth spurt between my 10th and 11th grade years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-hood/i-hit-a-big-growth-spurt-between-my-10th-and-11th-grade-years/) [Rodney Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-hood/) > [I was quite small; then I had a big growth spurt that led to a problem with my back, which stopped me playing for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-bale/i-was-quite-small-then-i-had-a-big-growth-spurt-that-led-to-a-problem/) [Gareth Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-bale/) > [We move the cows every day to a new spot which allows the grass time to recuperate and go through its what I call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/we-move-the-cows-every-day-to-a-new-spot-which-allows-the-grass-time/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) > [I was always tall, but I had a real growth spurt between 12 and 14.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luol-deng/i-was-always-tall-but-i-had-a-real-growth-spurt-between-12-and-14/) [Luol Deng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luol-deng/) > [I had problems growing up. I had a sudden growth spurt at 15 or 16, and I got a lot of injuries as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-loftus-cheek/i-had-problems-growing-up-i-had-a-sudden-growth-spurt-at-15-or-16-and/) [Ruben Loftus-Cheek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-loftus-cheek/) > [I had a growth spurt after my junior year that left me in a goofy state - which I'm still in, by the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sale/i-had-a-growth-spurt-after-my-junior-year-that-left-me-in-a-goofy/) [Chris Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sale/) > [Once I got to high school and hit my growth spurt, nobody really messed with me anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-brown/once-i-got-to-high-school-and-hit-my-growth-spurt-nobody-really/) [Kane Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-brown/) > [I think sometimes when you can feel the velocity of change, like nowadays, you really need a seat belt. It's almost like having a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-paulson/i-think-sometimes-when-you-can-feel-the-velocity-of-change-like/) [Sarah Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-paulson/) ## More by Scottie Pippen > [In the playoffs, it's win or go home. You might not have a chance to look back at a game and say, 'Man, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/in-the-playoffs-it-s-win-or-go-home-you-might-not-have-a-chance-to/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I probably should've listened to Michael a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn't show any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-probably-should-ve-listened-to-michael-a-year-ago-when-he-said-that/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I'll miss the competitive side and the camaraderie of being around the players and competing each and every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-ll-miss-the-competitive-side-and-the-camaraderie-of-being-around/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I wasn't given a scholarship out of high school, and that allowed me to learn what hard work was early on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-wasn-t-given-a-scholarship-out-of-high-school-and-that-allowed-me/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I'm a family man, and I couldn't be happier. My wife and I have been blessed with an incredible family, and my kids are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-m-a-family-man-and-i-couldn-t-be-happier-my-wife-and-i-have-been/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I always dreamed of playing the NBA, but along the way, the road got a little cloudy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-always-dreamed-of-playing-the-nba-but-along-the-way-the-road-got-a/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [Don't disrespect me, lie about it, and then come smile in my face and act like nothing's wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/don-t-disrespect-me-lie-about-it-and-then-come-smile-in-my-face-and/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [If I had an opportunity to hand-pick a team that I wanted to play in the NBA Finals, it would probably be the Lakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/if-i-had-an-opportunity-to-hand-pick-a-team-that-i-wanted-to-play-in/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I take a lot of pride in my first '92 gold medal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-take-a-lot-of-pride-in-my-first-92-gold-medal/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [For me, getting your number retired is the greatest accomplishment. There is no accolade with more significance that you can receive from an organization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/for-me-getting-your-number-retired-is-the-greatest-accomplishment/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [The odds were against me when I arrived at Central Arkansas. I was barely 6-foot-2 and didn't have a scholarship. But I always felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/the-odds-were-against-me-when-i-arrived-at-central-arkansas-i-was/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I've played basketball all of my life, and I've had things happen on the court that you eventually have to move on from. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-ve-played-basketball-all-of-my-life-and-i-ve-had-things-happen-on/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [You've got to have a commitment to your craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/you-ve-got-to-have-a-commitment-to-your-craft/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [Defense was one thing I was really able to work at and get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/defense-was-one-thing-i-was-really-able-to-work-at-and-get-better/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [I loved playing against the Pacers and Reggie Miller. Reggie was a great competitor, and I enjoyed playing against competitors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-loved-playing-against-the-pacers-and-reggie-miller-reggie-was-a/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) [Explore all 163 Scottie Pippen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) Alejandro Taubas > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I got to Central Arkansas, I was a small, slim guy with little chance of playing in the NBA. 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