Scottie Pippen questioned in alleged weekend Malibu assault

MALIBU, Calif., June 24 (UPI) -- Former NBA star Scottie Pippen was questioned Monday regarding an alleged weekend assault in Malibu, Calif., authorities said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said the retired Chicago Bulls player was cooperative and was allowed to leave without being arrested, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The newspaper said its law enforcement sources said they expected Pippen to be arrested and released, but Whitmore said detectives determined after interviewing the ex-player the case was "a more complex situation" and more investigation was needed before deciding whether anyone should be taken into custody.

The Times said a statement issued by the sheriff's department earlier in the day said Pippen was wanted on suspicion of assault with intent to commit great bodily injury.

Witnesses told authorities Pippen was "one of the combatants" in a 6:30 p.m. Sunday altercation in which responding deputies found a man with a head injury. The man was taken to a hospital and released Monday morning, the newspaper said.

Pippen, 47, was a seven-time all-star and won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He also played for Houston and Portland during an NBA career that stretched from 1987 to 2004.

He also was a member of the U.S. teams that won gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

Pippen's Facebook page says he is a special adviser to the Bulls' president and chief operating officer.