Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin
Born	Jeremy Shu-How Lin (1988-08-23) August 23, 1988 Torrance, California, U.S.
Occupation	Professional basketball player (retired)
Years active	2010–present
Known for	"Linsanity" during 2011–12 NBA season with New York Knicks; first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in NBA; first Asian American NBA champion with Toronto Raptors 2019

Jeremy Shu-How Lin (; born August 23, 1988) is a retired Taiwanese-American professional basketball athlete. During the 2011–12 NBA season, he spearheaded a remarkable revival for the New York Knicks, igniting the global sensation known as "Linsanity". Lin holds the distinction of being the first American with Chinese or Taiwanese heritage to compete in the NBA and is among the few Asian American players to have participated in the league. Furthermore, he became the inaugural Asian American to secure an NBA championship title, achieving this milestone with the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 season.

Raised in a Taiwanese American household in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lin excelled during his high school career. Despite not receiving any athletic scholarship offers, he enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned recognition as a three-time all-conference Ivy League athlete. After going undrafted in 2010, Lin signed with his hometown team, the Golden State Warriors. His rookie year featured limited court time and a stint in the NBA Development League (now known as the NBA G League). Following releases from both the Warriors and the Houston Rockets, he joined the Knicks early in the 2011–12 season.

Lin initially had minimal playing opportunities and spent time in development leagues before being elevated to the Knicks' starting roster in February 2012. He then led New York through a seven-game winning streak, significantly contributing to their qualification for the 2012 playoffs and attaining worldwide recognition. His achievements earned him covers on Sports Illustrated and Time magazines, and he was included among the Time 100 most influential figures. In July 2012, he received the ESPY Award for Breakthrough Athlete of the Year.

Following his tenure with New York, Lin played for several teams including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors. He experienced notable success in Houston and Charlotte but was later hampered by injuries. In August 2019, Lin departed from the NBA to join the Beijing Ducks, where he became a standout player in the CBA. Attempting to return to the NBA, he competed with the Warriors' development squad in 2021 before resuming play in China with both the Ducks and subsequently the Guangzhou Loong Lions. Midway through the 2022–23 season, he signed with Taiwan's Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers of the P. League+ (PLG), where he led that season’s league assists. In 2023, Lin inked a deal with the New Taipei Kings, securing PLG and TPBL championships in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Early life

Born on August 23, 1988, in Torrance, California, Lin grew up within a Taiwanese American family environment in Palo Alto, California. Raised as a Christian, his parents—Gie-ming Lin and Shirley Lin (née Xinxin Wu)—immigrated from Taiwan to America during the mid-1970s. Initially residing in Virginia, they later relocated to Indiana to pursue studies in engineering and computer science at university. Both parents maintain dual citizenship between Taiwan and the U.S. Lin’s paternal lineage traces back to the Hoklo people of Beidou, Changhua, Taiwan, while his maternal grandmother emigrated from Pinghu, Zhejiang, China.

Both of Lin’s parents stand approximately tall; his maternal grandfather was notably over . He has two siblings: an elder brother named Josh and a younger brother, Joseph. Their father introduced them to basketball at a local YMCA, while their mother played an instrumental role in founding a National Junior Basketball program in Palo Alto. Throughout his upbringing, Lin balanced athletic pursuits alongside academic responsibilities despite facing criticism.

During his senior year (2005–06), Lin served as captain for Palo Alto High School’s basketball team under coach Peter Diepenbrock—recipient of the 2006 Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year award—leading them to an impressive 32–1 record. Notably, they upset nationally ranked Mater Dei, winning 51–47 to claim the California Interscholastic Federation Division II state championship. That season, Lin earned first-team All-State honors as well as Northern California Division II Player of the Year accolades while averaging 15.1 points, 7.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.0 steals per game.

College career

Lin submitted his résumé along with a DVD showcasing his high school highlights to every Ivy League institution, the University of California, Berkeley, and his preferred schools, Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While the Pac-10 teams encouraged him to join as a walk-on instead of offering a scholarship, only Harvard and Brown assured him a roster spot, given that Ivy League schools do not provide athletic scholarships. NCAA recruiting restrictions limited Lin’s visibility; as noted by University of San Francisco coach and former NBA player Rex Walters, many coaches tend to recruit players swiftly based on their physical traits.

Initially, Harvard assistant coach Bill Holden regarded Lin as a potential "Division III level" athlete. However, after witnessing his tenacity on the court, Harvard elevated him to their primary recruit. Despite Stanford’s close proximity, they did not extend a scholarship offer to Lin—a decision Harvard staff found concerning. Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors and Stanford supporter, later described this as a "really stupid" oversight. UCLA assistant coach Kerry Keating believed Lin had the potential to secure the starting point guard position at UCLA.

During his freshman year at Harvard, Lin was considered the physically least robust player on the squad. By his sophomore season (2007–08), he improved significantly, averaging 12.6 points per game and earning a spot on the All-Ivy League Second Team. In his junior year (2008–09), he ranked within the Ivy League’s top ten across several statistical categories—scoring (17.8), rebounds (5.5), assists (4.3), steals (2.4), blocks (0.6), field goal percentage (0.502), free throw percentage (0.744), and three-point shooting percentage (0.400)—and was unanimously selected for the All-Ivy First Team. Shortly after Harvard’s upset over No. 1 North Carolina, Lin delivered an impressive performance against No. 17 Boston College with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists in an 82–70 victory.

In his senior year (2009–10), Lin posted averages of 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, once again earning unanimous All-Ivy First Team recognition. He was named among 30 midseason contenders for the John R. Wooden Award and was one of 11 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award. Additionally, he took part in the esteemed Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla identified him as one of college basketball’s 12 most versatile players. Lin attracted national attention by scoring a career-high 30 points along with 9 rebounds in an away game against No. 12 Connecticut; Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun commended his poise and skill.

That season marked several program milestones for Harvard: setting records for total wins (21), non-conference victories (11), home wins (11), and road/neutral site wins (10). Lin concluded his collegiate career as the first Ivy League athlete to surpass thresholds of 1,450 points (1,483), 450 rebounds (487), 400 assists (406), and 200 steals (225). He graduated in 2010 with a degree in economics and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.1.

Golden State Warriors (2010–2011)

After going undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft, Lin was characterized as a "cerebral passer with an inconsistent jump shot and a slender physique," which raised doubts about his viability in the NBA. He participated in the Dallas Mavericks mini-camp and competed with their NBA Summer League squad, where he posted averages of 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 18.6 minutes per game over five contests, shooting an efficient 54.5%. Various teams, including the Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and an undisclosed Eastern Conference franchise, extended contract offers to him.

On July 21, 2010, Lin agreed to a two-year contract with his hometown Warriors, which included a partial guarantee for the first year and a team option for the second season. Additionally, he secured a three-year fully guaranteed endorsement deal with Nike. This signing attracted widespread media interest; then-head coach Keith Smart described it as unexpected for an undrafted rookie. The Warriors' decision to bring Lin aboard sparked a dedicated fanbase, particularly within the substantial Asian-American community of the San Francisco Bay Area. Lin also made history by becoming the first American player of Chinese or Taiwanese heritage to compete in the NBA.

While enjoying strong local support, Lin concentrated on honing his skills. He began the season on the inactive roster but made his NBA debut during the Warriors' Asian Heritage Night, receiving a standing ovation from fans. In his second appearance against the Los Angeles Lakers, Lin scored his inaugural NBA basket and contributed defensively during a pivotal stretch despite accumulating five fouls. When the Warriors played in Toronto during their Asian Heritage Night, Lin's visit garnered considerable attention from Chinese media outlets.

Lin's minutes were limited behind established guards Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. He was assigned three times to Golden State's NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, where he averaged 18 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across 20 games and earned selection to the All-NBA D-League Showcase First Team. The Warriors regarded him as a promising backup option to Curry. Owner Joe Lacob acknowledged trade interest in Lin while he was in the D-League but managed expectations by stating, "Is he going to be a superstar? No." Lin concluded his rookie campaign averaging 2.6 points on 38.9% shooting over 29 games.

Dongguan Leopards (2011)

During the 2011 NBA lockout, Lin made a comeback from a patellar ligament injury. In September of that year, he competed with the Dongguan Leopards, a team in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), at the ABA Club Championship held in Guangzhou, China. His outstanding performance earned him the MVP award for the tournament.

New York Knicks (2011–2012)

Throughout the offseason, Lin dedicated himself to refining his jump shot and enhancing his physical strength, successfully increasing his squat capacity from 110 to 231 pounds and nearly tripling his pull-up count from 12 to 30. He gained 12 pounds overall, including 15 pounds of muscle mass, improved his vertical leap by several inches, and boosted his lateral quickness by 32%. Due to the lockout, Lin did not have a chance to train under new Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson. On December 9, 2011, the Warriors released Lin to create salary cap room for restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan; Lin was owed close to $800,000 that would become fully guaranteed by February 10, 2012.

Three days later, on December 12, Lin was claimed off waivers by the Houston Rockets but saw limited playing time during two preseason games. Since point guard positions were secured by Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragić, and Jonny Flynn on guaranteed contracts, Lin was waived on December 24 to make salary space for center Samuel Dalembert.

Emergence of "Linsanity" (2011–2012)

The New York Knicks waived veteran point guard Chauncey Billups to free up cap space for acquiring center Tyson Chandler. After guard Iman Shumpert suffered an injury, the Knicks claimed Lin off waivers on December 27 as a backup behind Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby. Newly signed guard Baron Davis was also sidelined due to injury. Because of the lockout-shortened preparation time, coaches had limited opportunities to assess Lin’s abilities, initially placing him fourth on the point guard depth chart. Determined to secure a backup role, Lin arrived early for practices, diligently studied game footage, and collaborated closely with coaching staff to develop his skills.

Lin made his debut against his former team, the Warriors, where he received enthusiastic support from fans at Oracle Arena. In January, he was briefly assigned to the Erie BayHawks in the D-League and recorded a triple-double on January 20. He was recalled by the Knicks three days afterward but remained concerned about his job security.

On January 28, due to Baron Davis postponing his Knicks debut because of injury, the team contemplated releasing Lin. However, following a loss to the Boston Celtics on February 3, coach Mike D'Antoni decided to give Lin an opportunity. Prior to this break, Lin had played only 55 minutes across 23 games while the Knicks lost 11 of their last 13 contests; subsequently, he became a catalyst for a team turnaround.

In a February 4 game against the New Jersey Nets and All-Star guard Deron Williams, Lin scored 25 points and achieved career-best numbers in rebounds and assists, leading New York to a 99–92 victory. Teammate Carmelo Anthony encouraged D’Antoni to increase Lin’s playing time. D’Antoni praised Lin’s poise and decision-making as a point guard. In his first NBA start versus the Utah Jazz—without key players Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire—Lin helped initiate a seven-game winning streak by scoring 28 points and dishing out eight assists in a 99–88 triumph. Both Stoudemire and Anthony missed several subsequent games during this stretch. Coach D’Antoni expressed an intention to “ride Lin like Secretariat.”

Lin recorded his first double-double with 23 points and 10 assists in a 107–93 victory over the Washington Wizards. On February 10 against the Los Angeles Lakers, he posted a career-high 38 points along with seven assists, outperforming Kobe Bryant in scoring during that contest. The New York Times described him as "the Knicks’ greatest stroke of luck since drafting Patrick Ewing." The following day against Minnesota, Lin added another strong performance with 20 points and eight assists in a close win. His impressive run earned him Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 27.3 points and 8.3 assists across four consecutive victories.

On February 14 against Toronto, Lin sank a game-winning three-pointer with less than one second remaining. This clutch shot prompted veteran player Metta World Peace to coin the term "Linsanity!" Lin became the first NBA player since the ABA–NBA merger in 1976–77 to record at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five starts—a feat unmatched in decades.

Against the Sacramento Kings, Lin contributed thirteen assists leading the Knicks to an even .500 record with a decisive 100–85 win. The winning streak ended with an 89–85 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, where despite scoring 26 points he committed nine turnovers—the highest total recorded in his first seven starts since tracking began in the late seventies.

On February 19 versus defending champions Dallas Mavericks, Lin tallied 28 points alongside career highs of fourteen assists and five steals in a victorious effort. USA Today lauded his adaptability against various defensive schemes. However, in a subsequent matchup against the Miami Heat, Lin struggled offensively—shooting just one for eleven—and committed eight turnovers as their defense concentrated heavily on him.

The phenomenon labeled "Linsanity" saw Lin average an impressive 22.5 points and 8.7 assists throughout his initial twelve starts prior to the All-Star break; during this period New York compiled a strong 9–3 record. His breakout play earned him an invitation to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend after being added as a replacement; some media commentators argued he deserved selection for the All-Star Game itself.

In March, coach Mike Woodson succeeded D’Antoni and shifted away from pick-and-roll strategies that had suited Lin’s style of play. After experiencing knee soreness during a March 24 game against Detroit and undergoing an MRI that revealed a small meniscus tear, Lin elected for surgery which sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. Over his twenty-six games as a regular contributor that season, he averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 assists while helping guide the team to a 16–10 record during that span. The Knicks concluded with a record of 36–30 securing seventh place in Eastern Conference playoffs but were eliminated by eventual champions Miami Heat in five games without Lin’s presence on court. He finished sixth in voting for NBA Most Improved Player honors.

Following that season, Lin became a restricted free agent. The New York Times characterized him as "[the Knicks’] most popular player in ten years," crediting him with rescuing their campaign despite some teams remaining uncertain about his long-term potential among NBA point guards.

In July 2016, former coach Mike D’Antoni acknowledged that some Knicks players harbored resentment toward Lin during Linsanity—a sentiment later confirmed by teammate Amar'e Stoudemire.

Starting position (2012–2013)

During the 2012 offseason, although many anticipated the Knicks would retain Lin due to his impressive performance and fan support, the Rockets extended a $28.8 million contract over four years, including a team option for the final year, effectively committing $19.5 million. The Knicks chose not to match this offer and instead signed Raymond Felton. The deal featured a "poison pill" clause in the last year’s salary intended to discourage New York from matching it. Lin became a key figure in Houston's preseason "A New Age" campaign and was prominently featured in early Comcast SportsNet Houston commercials. However, with the addition of James Harden, whose playing style resembled Lin’s, coach Kevin McHale designated Harden as the primary offensive option.

Lin faced difficulties at the season's start, losing playing time to backup Toney Douglas. On December 10, with Harden sidelined by injury, Lin delivered a standout 38-point performance in an overtime defeat against the San Antonio Spurs, reminiscent of his "Linsanity" days. Despite occasional highlights, data indicated that Lin and Harden were more effective when playing separately. Lin openly admitted to his early struggles before returning to face the Knicks in New York, where he contributed 22 points and nine assists in a 109–96 victory that snapped New York’s 11-game home winning streak.

Although Lin was not chosen for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, he participated in the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend. Following the break, his scoring output and shooting efficiency improved, and reports highlighted his growing chemistry within Houston’s system. He completed the season averaging 13.4 points and 6.1 assists per game. The Rockets advanced to the playoffs but were eliminated in six games by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Lin sustained a bruised chest in Game 2, which limited his minutes until he returned off the bench in Game 6, contributing three points across 13 minutes.

Career-best shooting efficiency (2013–2014)

In the 2013–14 campaign, Lin was moved out of Houston’s starting lineup by Patrick Beverley and took on the role of primary ball handler and scorer off the bench as the team’s designated sixth man. November saw him accumulate a career-best two-game scoring total of 65 points, including season highs of 34 points, 11 assists, and tying a Rockets record with nine three-pointers while filling in for an injured James Harden. He followed this with a 21-point effort during a victory over New York.

Lin suffered a right knee sprain on November 27 versus the Atlanta Hawks, causing him to miss six contests; he later missed an additional four games in December due to back spasms. On February 1, 2014, he achieved his first career triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 29 minutes coming off the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, after All-Star Weekend, Lin encountered a slump in shooting along with persistent back problems.

He concluded the season with 33 starts and averaged 12.5 points alongside 4.1 assists per game while setting personal bests in field goal percentage (44.6%), three-point accuracy (35.8%), and free throw percentage (82.3%). In the postseason, Lin averaged 11.3 points off Houston’s bench as they fell to the Portland Trail Blazers in six games, highlighted by a 21-point performance in Game Five that extended their playoff run.

During that offseason, Houston targeted Lin’s former Knicks teammate Carmelo Anthony during free agency, even displaying images of Anthony wearing Lin’s No. 7 jersey outside their home arena.

Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)

On July 13, 2014, Lin was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with first- and second-round draft selections in exchange for the rights to Serhiy Lishchuk. The Houston Rockets executed this trade to free up salary cap space for signing free agent Chris Bosh. During his tenure with the Lakers, Lin achieved a personal best three-point shooting percentage of 36.9%, though his role on a team that ended the season with a 21–61 record remained unclear.

Lin started the initial 20 games following an injury to Ronnie Price, yet he encountered difficulties adapting to coach Byron Scott's Princeton offense, which differed significantly from Lin’s favored pick-and-roll approach. After a 5–15 team start, Scott opted to bench Lin in favor of Price to bolster defensive efforts. Lin voiced dissatisfaction regarding this reduction in playing time. On January 23, 2015, rookie Jordan Clarkson was elevated above Price, resulting in Lin being sidelined despite full health—a first since early 2012 that he missed a game while healthy. Up to that point, Lin had averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 assists across 43 appearances.

Following a season-best 29-point performance against Philadelphia on March 22, Lin returned to the starting lineup. On March 24, he and Clarkson made history as the first Asian American duo to start together in an NBA backcourt. Lin missed the final five contests due to an upper respiratory illness.

Charlotte Hornets (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, Lin inked a two-year deal worth $4.3 million with the Charlotte Hornets, utilizing their bi-annual exception. Although willing to return to New York, the Knicks preferred to prioritize developing guard Jerian Grant alongside veteran José Calderón. Within Charlotte’s roster, Lin was expected to serve as backup point guard behind Kemba Walker, with coach Steve Clifford planning occasional pick-and-roll strategies involving both players.

Lin made his Hornets debut on October 28, contributing 17 points off the bench in a 104–94 defeat against the Miami Heat. On December 17, he notched a season-high of 35 points during a 109–99 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors. On March 21, 2016, Lin scored 29 points—including a decisive late jumper—helping Charlotte rally from a substantial second-quarter deficit of 30–7 to secure a 91–88 comeback win versus San Antonio. The Hornets’ postseason run concluded with a seven-game first-round loss to Miami. Lin finished seventh in the voting for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

After declining his $2.2 million player option for the following season, Lin entered unrestricted free agency on July 1, 2016.

Brooklyn Nets (2016–2018)

On July 7, 2016, Lin agreed to a three-year contract worth $36 million with the Brooklyn Nets, where Kenny Atkinson—who had previously served as an assistant during Linsanity—was head coach. Lin’s debut came on October 26, 2016, when he scored 18 points in a loss against the Boston Celtics. Two days later, he nearly recorded a triple-double with totals of 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in a victory over the Indiana Pacers. After sustaining a hamstring injury in early November, Lin returned on December 12 and scored 10 points off the bench during a defeat by the Houston Rockets.

The hamstring strain caused him to miss 26 games; however, he reentered the starting lineup on February 24, 2017, contributing seven points and five assists in a loss versus the Denver Nuggets. On April 6, Lin posted a season-high of 32 points against the Orlando Magic. He completed the season appearing in only 36 games while averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 assists per contest.

During Brooklyn’s season opener on October 18, 2017, Lin suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee against the Indiana Pacers, which sidelined him for the entirety of that season.

Atlanta Hawks (2018–2019)

On July 13, 2018, Lin was traded to the Atlanta Hawks along with draft picks in exchange for the rights to Isaia Cordinier and a future second-round draft selection. The Hawks acquired him primarily to guide rookie point guard Trae Young, who was selected fifth overall in the draft. Following a buyout agreement, Lin was waived by Atlanta on February 11, 2019.

Toronto Raptors (2019)

After clearing waivers, Lin signed with the Toronto Raptors on February 13, 2019, joining a playoff-bound team anticipating that backup point guard Fred VanVleet would be sidelined for approximately three weeks due to injury. Lin found it challenging to secure consistent playing time, averaging 7 points and 2.2 assists across 23 regular-season appearances. In the postseason, his minutes were limited as the Raptors primarily depended on Kyle Lowry and VanVleet.

In June, Lin revealed that his athleticism and ability to drive to the basket remained hindered by a patellar tendon injury sustained in 2017. Toronto progressed to the NBA Finals, defeating Lin’s former team, Golden State, in six games. Lin made history as the first Asian American to earn an NBA championship ring and became the first East Asian American and Harvard alumnus to participate in an NBA Finals series. He accumulated a total of 27 minutes during the playoffs.

Lin entered free agency on July 1. Later that month, he expressed disappointment on Taiwanese Christian broadcaster GOOD TV regarding his unsigned status, describing it as hitting "rock bottom" and feeling that the NBA had "kind of given up" on him. Teams raised concerns about whether Lin still possessed adequate mobility to fulfill point guard responsibilities.

Beijing Ducks (2019–2020)

On August 27, 2019, Lin inked a contract with the Beijing Ducks of the CBA, reportedly earning $3 million annually. He also received interest from teams in Russia, Israel, and the EuroLeague. The Ducks scheduled Lin to rest during January, sharing playing time with overseas athletes Ekpe Udoh and Justin Hamilton. In his debut on November 3, Lin led Beijing to a 103–81 victory over the Tianjin Gold Lions, contributing 25 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. He earned a starting spot for the North squad in the CBA All-Star Game after garnering the highest votes on his team and ranking second overall behind South’s Yi Jianlian. Lin posted a game-high 41 points in the All-Star matchup, which ended with a narrow 167–166 win for the South.

The CBA season was suspended on February 1, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming only in late June. Lin concluded the campaign averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game and was named a finalist for the CBA Defensive Player of the Year honor. Beijing’s run ended in the semifinals against the Guangdong Southern Tigers, who successfully defended their league title.

Santa Cruz Warriors (2021)

During the offseason, Lin pursued an NBA return. His former team, Golden State, planned to add him to their G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. On December 19, 2020, Golden State intended to sign and waive him promptly to secure his G League rights but encountered delays due to clearance complications from Beijing amid FIBA office closures. Subsequently, the NBA introduced a policy allowing teams to designate one five-year NBA veteran for their G League roster without intricate roster maneuvers.

On January 9, 2021, Santa Cruz officially announced Lin’s signing for the 2020–21 season through this new veteran exception rule—informally referred to by some as the "Jeremy Lin rule." Over nine games played, he averaged 19.8 points and 6.4 assists per contest while shooting 50.5% from the field and converting 42.6% of his three-point attempts.

Return to the Ducks (2021–2022)

On June 11, 2021, Lin declared his comeback to the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). After returning from San Francisco, he was admitted to a hospital in Shanghai in September following a COVID-19 diagnosis, during which he experienced a 20-pound weight loss while in quarantine. Upon resuming play, Lin faced significant challenges, citing extreme exhaustion and breathing problems.

Guangzhou Loong Lions (2022)

For the 2022–23 season, Lin inked a deal with the Guangzhou Loong Lions. On December 2, 2022, amid nationwide protests in China against COVID-19 restrictions, the CBA imposed a fine of 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,400) on him for "improper comments regarding quarantine hotel facilities." Later that month, on December 29, Lin announced his exit from the team for the remainder of the season. Throughout seven appearances, he averaged 11.6 minutes per game with 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers (2023)

On January 26, 2023, Lin joined the Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers of Taiwan's P. League+ (PLG), where his brother, Joseph, was playing for the New Taipei Kings. On April 23, Lin made history as the first player in PLG to achieve a 50-point triple-double, recording 50 points along with 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

New Taipei Kings (2023–2025)

Lin signed with the New Taipei Kings of the PLG on September 19, 2023, reuniting with his brother Joseph on the roster. The Kings secured the league title in 2024. On September 2, 2024, as the team transitioned into the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), Lin extended his contract by one year.

During the 2024–25 campaign, Lin received several honors: Clutch Play of the Year on May 27, inclusion in the All-Defensive First Team on June 2, and selection to the All-TPBL First Team on June 6. He was awarded TPBL Most Valuable Player on June 14. The Kings clinched the TPBL championship on June 29, with Lin earning Finals MVP recognition.

On August 30, 2025, Lin announced his retirement from professional basketball after a career spanning fifteen years. The New Taipei Kings planned a jersey retirement ceremony in his honor for December 28.

National team career

Lin holds U.S. citizenship and also qualified for Taiwanese nationality through descent but initially did not obtain a Taiwan passport. In June 2011, the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) considered including him in their preliminary roster of 24 players for the FIBA Asia Championship that year. However, due to a knee injury and recommendations from medical staff associated with the Golden State Warriors, Lin did not participate.

Although selected for the USA Basketball Men's Select Team intended to scrimmage against candidates for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Lin was unable to join because of his restricted free agent status with the New York Knicks at that time. He eventually acquired a Taiwan passport in August 2020.

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Golden State | 29 || 0 || 9.8 || .389 || .200 || .760 || 1.2 || 1.4 || 1.1 || .3 || 2.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| New York | 35 || 25 || 26.9 || .446 || .320 || .798 || 3.1 || 6.2 || 1.6 || .3 || 14.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Houston | style="background:#cfecec;"| 82* || style="background:#cfecec;"| 82* || 32.2 || .441 || .339 || .785 || 3.0 || 6.1 || 1.6 || .4 || 13.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Houston | 71 || 33 || 28.9 || .446 || .358 || .823 || 2.6 || 4.1 || 1.0 || .4 || 12.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers | 74 || 30 || 25.8 || .424 || .369 || .795 || 2.6 || 4.6 || 1.1 || .4 || 11.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Charlotte | 78 || 13 || 26.3 || .412 || .336 || .815 || 3.2 || 3.0 || .7 || .5 || 11.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Brooklyn |36||33||24.5|| .438|| .372|| .816|| 3.8||5.1||1.2|| .4||14.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Brooklyn |1||1||25.0|| .417|| .500|| 1.000||0||4||0||0|| 18.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta |51||1||19.7|| .466|| .333|| .845||2.3||3.5|| .7|| .1||10.7 |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;" | † | style="text-align:left;" | Toronto |"23"||3||18.8|| .374|| .200|| .810||2.6||2.2|| .4|| .3||7.0 |- class="sortbottom" |"Career"|"480"|"221"|"25.5"|"433"|"342"|"809"|"2.8"|"4.3"|"1.1"|"0.4"|"11.6"

Playoffs

|- |"2013"|"Houston"|4|||21.0|||250|||167|||1000|||2|||2|||05|||03|||4 |- |"2014"|"Houston"|6|||29.5|||410|||217|||813|||37|||43|||05|||02|||11 |- |"2016"|"Charlotte"|7|||27|||413|||214|||821|||23|||26|||07|||00|||124 |- |"2019†"|"Toronto"|8|||3,4|||222|||500|||1000|||04|||05|||01|||00|||11 |- class="sortbottom" |"Career"|25||||19,1||||376||||216||||836||||20||||22||||04||||01||||72

College

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07 | style="text-align:left;"| Harvard | 28 || 0 || 18.1 || .415 || .281 || .818 || 2.5 || 1.8 || 1.0 || 0.1 || 4.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08 | style="text-align:left;"| Harvard | 30 || 30 || 31.3 || .448 || .279 || .621 || 4.8 || 3.6 || 1.9 || 0.6 || 12.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09 | style="text-align:left;"| Harvard | 28 || 28 || 34.8 || .502 || .400 || .744 || 5.5 || 4.3 || 2.4 || 0.6 || 17.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10 | style="text-align:left;"| Harvard | 29 || 29 || 32.2 || .519 || .341 || .755 || 4.4 || 4.4 || 2.4 || 1.1 || 16.4 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 115 || 87 || 29.2 || .481 || .333 || .733 || 4.3 || 3.5 || 2.0 || .6 || 12.9

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20 | style="text-align:left;"| Beijing | 39 || 39 || 32.1 || .491 || .338 || .824 || 5.7 || 5.6 || 1.8 || .3 || 25.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22 | style="text-align:left;"| Beijing | 23 || 23 || 22.5 || .423 || .392|| .803||3.6||4.7||1.3|| .2||13.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23 | style="text-align:left;"| Guangzhou |7||0||11.6|| .396|| .273|| .583||2.2||2.1|| .7|| .0||6.8 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career |69||62||26.6|| .466|| .354|| .812||4.6||4.9||1.5|| .2||17.7

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;" |2019–20

|style="text-align:left;" |Beijing 
|4||4||35.3|| .516|| .316|| .792||4.0||5.8||2.5|| .0||22.8 

|-

|style="text-align:left;" |2021–22 
|style="text-align:left;" |Beijing 
|2||2||22.7|| .609|| .375|| .750||4.0||2.0||2.0|| .5||17.0 

|- class="sortbottom"

|style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career 
|6||6||31.0|| .540|| .333|| .785||4.0||4.5||2.3|| .1||20.8 

Player profile

Lin is recognized as a dynamic offensive player known for his speed and effectiveness in pick-and-roll situations and driving to the basket, with his enhanced three-point accuracy making him a versatile scoring option who is challenging to guard due to his knack for drawing fouls. While he demonstrates solid passing skills, he has faced criticism regarding his turnover rate and defensive reliability. Identified as a player willing to take risks, Lin’s journey following his breakthrough with the Knicks has included periods of injury setbacks and inconsistent performance.

Racial issues

Throughout his basketball journey, Lin has encountered racial discrimination linked to his Asian heritage. In sixth grade, as he began competing in more challenging basketball leagues outside the Bay Area, he was subjected to racist remarks. While attending Harvard, Lin endured derogatory chants including terms like "Wonton soup," "Go back to China," and nonsensical mock-Chinese phrases. A teammate revealed that an opposing Ivy League player directed the ethnic slur "chink" at him.

On February 10, 2012, during a Knicks versus Lakers game in which Lin scored 38 points, Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock posted a racially insensitive tweet concerning Lin’s sexual abilities, resulting in public outrage and an apology. The Asian American Journalists Association called for accountability. Similarly, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. tweeted that Lin’s popularity was due to his Asian background, prompting media outlets to highlight Lin’s unprecedented early success in the NBA.

On February 17, 2012, ESPN published a headline containing the racial slur "Chink in the Armor" following Lin’s subpar performance; the headline was promptly removed and the responsible editor dismissed. Lin later met with the editor and accepted the apology offered. Additionally, Knicks commentator Spero Dedes used the phrase during a broadcast. In November 2013, ESPN anchor Jorge Andres apologized for making a racially insensitive remark after Lin delivered a strong performance.

Lin has expressed pride in embracing his Asian-American identity as both motivation and strength. There is speculation that stereotypes regarding Asian athletes limited his career opportunities. In 2009, Sean Gregory of Time suggested that racial profiling contributed to Lin receiving no Division I scholarship offers despite notable achievements. Lin himself acknowledged in 2008 that ethnicity played a role in recruiting decisions. During his collegiate years, Asian-Americans represented less than 0.5% of Division I men’s basketball players.

Lin’s high school coach noted that race initially did not influence recruiting but later observed differential treatment when compared to black athletes with similar abilities. NBA commissioner David Stern also implied that discrimination impacted Lin’s draft prospects. Some perceived Lin’s signing by the Warriors as a publicity stunt; however, general manager Larry Riley stressed that Lin’s talent was the decisive factor.

Lin’s draft experience is featured in Michael Lewis’s book The Undoing Project, which explores how stereotypes can skew decisions despite evidence to the contrary. Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey commented that although Lin performed exceptionally well in pre-draft evaluations, racial bias led to underestimation of his potential.

Throughout his career, Lin has recounted instances of mistaken identity and assumptions about his athleticism, including being confused with non-athletic personnel at games. In a 2015 interview with ESPN The Magazine, he discussed how stereotypes shaped perceptions of his abilities and contributed to polarized media narratives during his time with the Knicks. He also remarked that Asian athletes frequently do not receive adequate respect within sports.

Reflecting on race after joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2016, Lin acknowledged that "Linsanity" was partly driven by his ethnicity but emphasized his perseverance over challenges linked to it throughout his career.

ESPN’s J.A. Adande observed that increased ethnic awareness among Asian Americans magnified Lin’s influence beyond basketball. The AAJA issued guidelines encouraging responsible media coverage to avoid perpetuating inaccurate or stereotypical portrayals of Lin.

In February 2021, amid rising anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin was called "coronavirus" by another G League player. He responded publicly on social media and through interviews, condemning racism and advocating for ongoing education and awareness efforts.

Public image and impact

Lin actively manages a widely followed YouTube channel and has partnered with influencers such as Nigahiga and KevJumba. Alongside former Knicks teammate Landry Fields, he demonstrated their "secret handshake" on the platform. In 2014, Lin entered into a content partnership with Whistle Sports Network, contributing his channel, which had around 400,000 subscribers, in exchange for an equity share. This made him the first athlete from major U.S. professional sports leagues to produce content for this digital sports outlet.

In July 2011, the overseas Chinese publication Vivid Magazine recognized Lin as one of the top eight most influential Chinese-Americans. By April 2012, he was named among the Time 100 most influential global figures. On June 18, 2012, NBA TV honored Lin with the inaugural "Social Breakout Player of the Year" award, along with "The EPIC Award." In July of that year, he received the ESPY Award for Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. Prominent media outlets such as The New York Times and Bleacher Report acknowledged Lin as a pivotal figure for Asian-American representation and an American cultural icon.

In 2014, Madame Tussauds introduced a wax likeness of Lin at its San Francisco museum. Two years later, he guest-starred as an exaggerated version of himself in an episode of Comedy Central's Viralocity. On May 26, 2021, Lin was invited to deliver the Class Day speech to Harvard College graduates.

"Linsanity"

Once Lin secured a starting position with the Knicks, the Associated Press described him as "the most surprising story in the NBA." Bloomberg News observed that he "has already become the most famous [Asian American NBA player]." Knicks supporters coined numerous nicknames inspired by his name, with Linsanity emerging as the most popular term expressing enthusiasm. Time.com declared, "It's Official: Linsanity Is for Real." Additional wordplays included "Linderella," "Lincredible," and "Super Lintendo."

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson commented on the unprecedented excitement Lin generated at Madison Square Garden. The Associated Press likened Linsanity to Tebowing in terms of cultural impact. Lin graced the cover of Sports Illustrated featuring the headline "Against All Odds," which The New York Times called "the greatest tribute." He also appeared on Time magazine’s Asian edition cover; Forbes noted that Lin matched Michael Jordan’s number of covers on Time. His story received extensive coverage in Taipei newspapers. NBA commissioner David Stern remarked that no player had sparked such swift and intense interest before.

Lin's remarkable play contributed to resolving a 48-day standoff between Time Warner Cable and MSG Network, reinstating Knicks game broadcasts. The Madison Square Garden Company's market value rose by $250 million in February and reached $600 million by July 2012. Fans quickly purchased Lin’s No. 17 jerseys and T-shirts, resulting in a more than 3,000% surge in online store traffic. His jersey became the NBA's top-selling item online in early February 2012, propelling the Knicks to be the league's best-selling team. Retail displays shifted focus to highlight Lin’s merchandise over established stars like Anthony and Stoudemire. For the fiscal year ending April 2012, Lin ranked second in jersey sales behind Derrick Rose.

Both Nike and Adidas released apparel lines associated with Lin, anticipating strong demand in China. His popularity increased NBA viewership in China by 39% compared to the prior season following Yao Ming’s retirement.

Within just three weeks after becoming a starter, at least seven e-books about Lin were published. He appeared on consecutive covers of Sports Illustrated, becoming only the first athlete from a New York team and third NBA player to achieve this feat. New York City eateries introduced menu items themed around Lin; Yanjing Beer reported sales growth. Viewing parties thrived within Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood—home to approximately 450,000 residents of Chinese or Taiwanese descent—numbers surpassing those in NBA cities like Miami or Atlanta. Airlines promoted ticket deals using slogans such as "Linsanely low prices"; meanwhile, bids for his rookie card exceeded $21,000 on eBay. Despite rumors linking him romantically to Kim Kardashian, Lin denied any relationship. Foreign Policy speculated about his influence on Sino-American relations, while business leaders Jack and Suzy Welch cited his ascent as an example against suppressing untapped talent. Sacramento Kings coach Keith Smart praised Lin’s humility despite his growing fame.

In 2012, Lin secured a trademark for Linsanity to prevent unauthorized commercial exploitation; although two others attempted registration earlier, the USPTO granted it to him. A documentary titled Linsanity premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January 2013 and was subsequently screened at various festivals before an art house release.

Ben & Jerry's created a frozen yogurt flavor called "Taste the Lin-Sanity," featuring lychee honey swirls and fortune cookie pieces; following some criticism, fortune cookies were replaced with waffle cookies accompanied by an official apology.

During May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Knicks rebroadcast a week-long series of Linsanity games on MSG Network aiming to uplift fans during challenging times in New York City. Lin expressed being deeply moved by this tribute, highlighting its importance throughout the crisis.

Endorsements

During the height of Linsanity, Lin opted to reject the majority of sponsorship deals, foregoing offers worth tens of millions. His priority remained firmly on basketball and his personal mission rather than commercial pursuits.

Among the brands Lin has represented are:

• Volvo
• Nike (2010–2014)
• Steiner Sports
• Adidas (2014–2019)
• Xtep (2019–2022)

In November 2020, Lin collaborated with Xtep to introduce the signature sneaker Xtep JLin One, targeting primarily the Asian market.

Music

Lin teamed up with Asian-American rapper MC Jin to release the track "The First Opponent," with its music video debuting on YouTube on May 28, 2019.

Philanthropy

In October 2016, Lin contributed $1 million to Harvard University, aiding undergraduate financial aid programs and supporting renovations at Lavietes Pavilion.

By February 2020, he donated ¥1 million (approximately $144,370) to assist those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and condemned pandemic-related racism, promoting empathy and kindness. He committed $300,000 toward relief efforts and encouraged fans to participate in giving. Additionally, his charitable foundation in China donated another 1 million yuan to support frontline workers in Wuhan.

In April 2020, Lin gifted $500,000 to nonprofit organizations Direct Relief and Feeding America for COVID-19 assistance. Through an article in The Players' Tribune, he pledged to match up to $500,000 more in donations, urging unity beyond racial or political divides.

At the NBA Together Virtual Roundtable held in May 2020, Lin spoke out against anti-Asian discrimination, advocating for compassion and small acts such as challenging ignorance to inspire positive societal change.

Personal life

Lin maintains a largely private personal life. In January 2023, he disclosed via social media that he had married his wife—of Filipino heritage—approximately two years earlier. His elder brother Joshua pursued dental studies at New York University.

As an evangelical Protestant, Lin was actively involved as a leader within Harvard's Asian American Christian Fellowship. He credits his NBA accomplishments to playing without pressure by "surrendering that to God." Looking ahead, Lin aims to become a pastor who leads nonprofit initiatives focused on inner-city neighborhoods and disadvantaged youth.

Fluent in Mandarin comprehension, Lin took language classes at Harvard for improvement. After joining the Knicks in 2012, he initially resided in his brother’s modest apartment before relocating to a luxury condominium upon securing a guaranteed contract.

An avid enthusiast of the video game Dota 2, which he has played since high school, Lin appeared in the 2014 documentary Free to Play, describing the game as a "way of life" that strengthened his bonds with family and friends. In 2016, he established the professional Dota 2 team J.Storm.

On August 23, 2024, Lin announced the birth of his son, who was born several months earlier.

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart position	Album
		CHN V Chart
Collaborations
"The First Opponent" (with MC Jin)	2019	13	Non-album single
"—" indicates releases that either did not chart or were not issued in that territory.

Further reading

• Park, M. K. (2015). Race, Hegemonic Masculinity, and the "Linpossible!": A Study of Media Portrayals of Jeremy Lin. Communication & Sport, 3(4), 367–389.

External links

• Lin's organization in Dota 2