Jeremy Lin Biography Quotes 21 Report mistakes

Early Life and Family

Jeremy Shu-How Lin was born on August 23, 1988, in Torrance, California, and grew up in Palo Alto. The son of Taiwanese immigrants Gie-Ming Lin and Shirley Lin, he was raised in a close-knit family that prized education, faith, and resilience. His parents encouraged their three sons to approach both school and sports with discipline, and basketball quickly became a shared language among the brothers. Jeremy, alongside his older brother Josh and younger brother Joseph, learned the game from their father, who introduced them to fundamental skills and the joy of competition. The family's support would remain one of the most important constants throughout his journey.

High School and Harvard

At Palo Alto High School, Lin flourished under coach Peter Diepenbrock, leading the Vikings to a stunning state championship and emerging as one of Northern California's top guards. Despite his success, he received little high-major recruiting interest. Lin chose Harvard University, where coach Tommy Amaker's program offered both academic rigor and a chance to lead on the court. At Harvard, Lin developed into an elite Ivy League guard, improving each year as a scorer, playmaker, and defender. He graduated in 2010 with a reputation for craft, intelligence, and fearlessness, but still faced skepticism from professional evaluators.

Entering the NBA

Undrafted in 2010, Lin earned an opportunity through summer league play with the Dallas Mavericks before signing with the Golden State Warriors. His rookie season included assignments to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, where he sharpened his game and proved he could run an offense. Waived in the lead-up to the 2011, 12 season, he was briefly claimed by the Houston Rockets, then waived again. In December 2011 the New York Knicks signed him to bolster guard depth, and he spent time with their D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, while fighting for a roster spot.

Linsanity with the New York Knicks

Lin's breakthrough arrived in February 2012. Thrust into the rotation by coach Mike D'Antoni, he delivered a string of electrifying performances that became known worldwide as "Linsanity". He attacked the rim, commanded pick-and-rolls, and closed games with poise. A 38-point explosion against Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers, a game-winning three in Toronto, and orchestrated wins alongside teammates Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Landry Fields, and Steve Novak turned him into a global sensation. For Asian American fans, his ascent was deeply resonant: Lin was the rare guard of Taiwanese and Chinese heritage excelling on the NBA's brightest stage. The run changed his career and broadened conversations about race, stereotypes, and opportunity in American sports.

Career After New York

Following that season, Lin became a restricted free agent and joined the Houston Rockets, where he partnered with James Harden and grew as a pick-and-roll playmaker and secondary scorer. He later moved to the Los Angeles Lakers, sharing a locker room with Bryant and learning under intense scrutiny. A stabilizing season with the Charlotte Hornets followed, where coach Steve Clifford used him as a dynamic sixth man alongside Kemba Walker. Lin then signed with the Brooklyn Nets, reuniting with coach Kenny Atkinson, whose player-development emphasis fit Lin's game. Injuries, including a serious knee injury, derailed extended momentum in Brooklyn, but his leadership and professionalism earned respect in the locker room and with general manager Sean Marks.

Championship and International Play

Traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Lin served as a veteran presence before joining the Toronto Raptors during their 2019 title run. Under coach Nick Nurse and alongside teammates Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and a deep supporting cast, Lin became the first Asian American player to win an NBA championship. Afterward, he continued his career internationally, signing with the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association, where he shouldered a leading role. Seeking another NBA opportunity, he later played in the NBA G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors, then returned to Asia, including further stints in China and in Taiwan's professional leagues. In Taiwan, he drew packed arenas and inspired young guards, including his brother Joseph, who built his own professional career there.

Playing Style and Influence

Lin's game blended sharp pick-and-roll reads, quick first-step drives, and creative finishing. He played with a relentless motor, drew fouls by attacking gaps, and used hesitations and change-of-pace to carve space. As a facilitator, he created rhythm for bigs and shooters, a skill refined beside teammates such as Chandler in New York and perimeter threats in Houston and Charlotte. Defensively, he competed at the point of attack and used anticipation to jump passing lanes. His poise in clutch moments during Linsanity underscored an ability to process pressure and execute.

Public Voice, Faith, and Philanthropy

Grounded in his Christian faith, Lin has been candid about struggle, gratitude, and purpose. Through the Jeremy Lin Foundation, he and his family have supported programs for underserved youth and initiatives that elevate overlooked communities. As a prominent Asian American athlete, he has spoken openly about stereotyping and bias, particularly during periods of heightened anti-Asian sentiment. His essays and public remarks emphasized dignity, solidarity, and the power of representation, resonating well beyond basketball.

Legacy

Jeremy Lin's legacy rests on far more than a remarkable month in New York. He forged a path from undrafted status to NBA starter, from D-League gyms to a championship parade. The people around him, his parents Gie-Ming and Shirley, brothers Josh and Joseph, coaches Tommy Amaker and Mike D'Antoni, and teammates ranging from Carmelo Anthony to Kawhi Leonard, shaped and witnessed a career that challenged expectations at every turn. For countless fans, especially within Asian and Asian American communities, Lin's trajectory offered proof that excellence can come from overlooked places and that representation can change how a game, and a culture, sees itself.