Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippin plays Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’
Photo courtesy Beermug Sports
Scottie Pippin may have played the notoriously grumpy literary character on stage, but he was not at all a Scrooge on Christmas Day. One of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time spent his holiday at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, playing Ebenezer Scrooge alongside seven-year old La’Ren Kimble of Rockford, Illinois.
Kimble was diagnosed as an infant with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation helped her live out her dream of becoming an actor. Her case of Beckwith-Wiedemann has since developed into a rare kidney cancer known as Wilms’ tumor. She will be battling the effects of it the rest of her life.
The Foundation approached Pippin with the young girl’s wish.
“I’ve worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation many times over the years, so when I was contacted about being in A Christmas Carol with someone who had a wish, it was an easy decision,” said Pippen.
Following the play, Pippin surprised Kimble and her family with owner’s box seats to the Bulls’ Christmas showdown with Houston later that evening.
Although the Bulls weren’t able to pull out the victory, Kimble was simply taken back by the amazing home crowd environment.
“I couldn’t believe how much shouting there was.”
Scottie Pippin and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped give La’Ren Kimble the Christmas of her dreams, and all he had to do was dress up like Scrooge to make it happen.
H/T: Beer Mug Sports
