Just like in the glory days, Jordan and Pippen together again at the UC

Scottie Pippen owns six championship rings and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, just like Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

Now he'll have a matching statue outside the United Center. The Bulls announced plans Wednesday to unveil a Pippen statue sometime before the end of the 2010-11 season. The team did not say where exactly the monument will be located.

The new statue will be created by Omri and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of Highland Park, the pair responsible for the Jordan statue. Unveiled in January 1994, the Jordan tribute remains a significant tourist attraction.

"Words really can't express my feelings," Pippen said in a statement released by the Bulls. "It's an unbelievable honor and truly amazing. It's something you dream of as a kid growing up, but you can never foresee those childhood fantasies becoming reality. You see statues of individuals who have done great things and made their mark on history, but as a basketball player, you never really think about arriving at this point. It's an amazing honor for the Chicago Bulls to do this for me."

Pippen was informed of the Bulls' plans a few weeks ago when he joined the basketball hall of fame in his first year of eligibility. Pippen was virtually unknown when he played in college at Central Arkansas. Acquired in a draft night trade, he played for the Bulls from 1987-98, then tacked on one more season in 2003-04 before retiring.

"Not only is Scottie Pippen one of the greatest players to ever wear a Bulls uniform, but he's among the best players in history of the league to play the game," Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "He had a tremendous impact in bringing six world championships to Chicago and there is no better way to pay tribute to him than with a permanent statue that honors his inspirational career."

Pippen was hired this summer as an official ambassador for the Bulls, which will carry a variety of duties and appearances.

"I'm ready to be a regular at the United Center again as I get back into basketball. I can't wait to bring my kids around the game. I look forward to working with the younger generation of players, too. Hopefully getting on the court and sharing my knowledge and experience with them will help."