Jeremy Shu-How Lin is a retired American professional basketball player who became a global sensation during his 'Linsanity' run with the New York Knicks in 2012. Standing 6'3" and weighing 200 pounds, Lin made history as the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Born in Los Angeles, California, he defied odds by going from undrafted Harvard graduate to international basketball icon, inspiring millions of Asian-Americans worldwide.
Lin grew up in Palo Alto, California, where he excelled at basketball despite facing racial stereotypes and limited college recruitment. He attended Harvard University, becoming the first Harvard player to score at least 1,450 points and dish out 450 assists in a career. After graduating with an economics degree in 2010, Lin went undrafted but signed with his hometown Golden State Warriors as an undrafted free agent.
The peak of Lin's career came during February 2012 with the New York Knicks, when 'Linsanity' took the world by storm. Over seven consecutive games, he averaged 27.3 points and 8.7 assists, leading the Knicks to victories and becoming the first player since 1976 to score at least 25 points and seven assists in his first five NBA starts. His career-high 38 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and game-winning three-pointer against the Toronto Raptors became legendary moments in NBA history.
Following his Linsanity period, Lin played for multiple NBA teams including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks. He won his first NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, though he saw limited playing time during the playoffs. Lin also represented Taiwan internationally, helping them qualify for the FIBA World Cup.
Beyond basketball, Lin has been a vocal advocate for Asian-American representation in sports and has spoken openly about experiencing racism throughout his career. He starred in the documentary 'Linsanity' and has been involved in various charitable endeavors. After his NBA career, Lin played professionally in China before officially retiring from professional basketball, leaving behind a legacy that transcended sports and inspired a generation of Asian-American athletes.
