Jeremy Lin has officially hung up his sneakers, bringing the curtain down on a 15-year professional basketball career that took him from undrafted rookie to global phenomenon. The 37-year-old made the announcement through an emotional Instagram post Saturday night, writing candidly about the toughest call he’s ever had to make.
Saying Goodbye to the Court
Lin didn’t mince words about how tough this decision was. While he knew this day would come eventually, actually walking away from basketball proved to be the hardest thing he’s done. His post, written in both English and Chinese, was filled with gratitude for everyone who stuck by him through the ups and downs of his career.
\”I will forever miss playing basketball in front of you all,\” Lin wrote, \”but our time will go beyond just playing. Here’s to what’s ahead.\”
The Rise of Linsanity and Career Milestones
Lin’s path to professional basketball wasn’t typical. After going undrafted in 2010, he caught on with the Golden State Warriors. Though he got waived during his rookie year, his breakout moment was still waiting around the corner with the New York Knicks.
That’s when \”Linsanity\” exploded onto the scene during the 2011-12 season. For nearly a month, Lin was practically unstoppable, putting up 25 points and 9.2 assists per game while shooting better than 50 percent from the field. The Knicks rode that wave to seven straight wins, and basketball fans worldwide couldn’t get enough.
Across nine NBA seasons and 480 games, Lin averaged 11.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals. His NBA journey took him through six different teams, with his final stop being Toronto in 2019 – where he picked up his one and only NBA championship ring with the Raptors.
Life After the NBA and Breaking Barriers
Even after his NBA chapter closed, Lin wasn’t ready to quit completely. He spent four more seasons playing in China’s Basketball Association from 2019 to 2023, extending his love affair with the game a little longer.
What made Lin’s career special went beyond the stats and highlights. As one of the few Asian-American players to make it in the NBA, he broke down doors and inspired countless young players who saw someone who looked like them succeeding at basketball’s highest level. His story resonated far beyond American borders, making him a global ambassador for the sport.
