Scottie Pippen, a National Basketball Association (NBA) legendary figure, is interviewed by Xinhua in Chicago, the United States, on Feb. 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

"We're praying for you here in the United States. Hopefully things are going to start to get better today," Scottie Pippen said to his fans in China.

CHICAGO, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Scottie Pippen, a National Basketball Association (NBA) legendary figure, has voiced his support for China, which is fighting the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

"We're praying for you here in the United States. Hopefully things are going to start to get better today," Pippen said to his fans in China.

"In today news I saw a lot of people who had been held in shelter with family are released, so I think that was a good, good sign," Pippen told Xinhua Sunday on the sidelines of the NBA All-Star 2020 held in Chicago.

To China now fighting through a difficult time, Pippen said, "You're stronger as a pack than individuals. I think this is a time when we need each other and ... for giving, caring and showing your love."

Pippen has traveled to China multiple times, teaching kids basketball, offering them knowledge of the game, and forging a strong bond with China. "We have great fans in China. They've been tremendous in helping us grow."

"From (Chinese) basketball fans, we have just saw basketball tradition, their love for the NBA," Pippen said. "I have a lot of memories of going over there with a lot of my colleagues over the years."

Pippen returned from a China trip about four months ago. He had been scheduled to be on another trip to China a week ago, but the trip was cancelled due to the outbreak. He expects to revisit China "sometime in the next three or four months."

"Stay Strong Wuhan," Pippen said in Chinese. ■