The news came Saturday night, when Jeremy Lin shared his retirement on Instagram. This decision brings an end to his storied 15-year career as a former NBA star and international basketball superstar. Now at 37, Lin looks back and marvels at where he’s ended up. After all, he went from undrafted Harvard walk-on to celebrated NBA and international hoops star.
Lin started his professional career by taking the reins of the Harvard basketball team. He showed enough dazzling skills and bulldog spirit, despite being passed off in the 2017 NBA draft. He only spent nine seasons in the NBA, but during that time he played for eight different franchises. It was his breakout with the New York Knicks during 2012 that launched him to superstardom. Through that entire season, Lin averaged a staggering 14.6 points and 6.2 assists over 35 games. His phenomenal play was a catalyst in leading the Knicks to an incredible seven-game win streak.
In an extraordinary feat, he became the first player in NBA history to average 20 points and seven assists in his first five games. He followed that up with a blockbuster performance during an incredible 38-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. In that game, he surpassed Kobe Bryant, who achieved 34 points.
Even after leaving the NBA, Lin has further forced change beyond just what he did on the court. He won the MVP award in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League in its first season. On top of that, he coached the New Taipei Kings to consecutive championships and won Finals MVP in both seasons. His contributions to the sport extended beyond his statistics, as he became a role model for many aspiring athletes worldwide.
“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to compete against the fiercest competitors under the brightest lights and to challenge what the world thought was possible for someone who looks like me. I’ve lived out my wildest childhood dreams to play in front of fans all around the world. I will forever be the kid who felt fully alive every time I touched a basketball.” – Jeremy Lin
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Lin said it was a very heavy feeling to bid farewell to the sport that he’s always been passionate about.
“As athletes, we are always aware that the possibility of retirement is never far away. I’ve spent my 15-year career knowing that one day I would have to walk away, and yet actually saying goodbye to basketball today has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made.” – Jeremy Lin
Throughout the course of Lin’s career, there were many trials and tribulations. His adversity breaching outlook and opposition on the sphere has impressed generations of enthusiasts, gamers, and neighborhood leaders. His impact on the game goes beyond the box score, and that’s why he’s remembered as one of basketball’s all-time greats.
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