Jeremy Lin Announces Retirement After 15 Remarkable Years in Basketball

Jeremy Lin, renowned for his groundbreaking “Linsanity” phase with the New York Knicks in 2012, has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. The announcement came on August 24, 2023, marking the end of a celebrated 15-year career that spanned the United States, China, and Taiwan.

In a heartfelt social media post, Lin reflected on his journey, stating, “As athletes, we are always aware that the possibility of retirement is never far away.” He expressed the difficulty of saying goodbye to the sport that has defined much of his life. Lin holds the distinction of being the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and he emphasized his role as a trailblazer for Asian-American athletes during his career.

Lin, 35, described his time in the NBA as “the honor of a lifetime,” competing against elite players and challenging stereotypes associated with athletes of Asian descent. He achieved significant milestones, including becoming the first Asian-American player to win an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Reflecting on his career, Lin shared, “I’ve lived out my wildest childhood dreams to play in front of fans all around the world.”

Born in the San Francisco Bay area to a Taiwanese-American family, Lin faced challenges early in his career, receiving no athletic scholarship offers. He eventually played for Harvard University, where he became a standout player, earning all-conference honors three times. Lin signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2010 but initially struggled for playing time. His breakthrough moment arrived in 2012 when he was promoted to the Knicks’ starting lineup, igniting a seven-game winning streak that would lead to the “Linsanity” phenomenon.

Over his nine seasons in the NBA, Lin played for eight teams, averaging 11.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds across 480 regular-season games. After leaving the NBA in 2019, he continued his career in China and later Taiwan, where he enjoyed remarkable success. Lin won back-to-back championships with the New Taipei Kings in the P.League+ and the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) in 2022 and 2023, respectively. He was also named the TPBL regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) in June 2023, followed by the Finals MVP, showcasing his impressive averages of 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.9 steals.

The New Taipei Kings expressed their gratitude for Lin’s contributions, highlighting his professionalism and dedication. “He showed true professionalism during his time with the Kings, and those memories will continue to stay with the team,” said Kings general manager James Mao. The team honored Lin’s influence both on and off the court, recognizing his perseverance and team spirit.

In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Lin’s impact on the sport extends beyond statistics. Chang Cheng-chung, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association, praised Lin as a world-class player whose achievements in the NBA are unprecedented. “We respect his decision to retire and congratulate him,” he stated, acknowledging Lin’s significant contributions to the development of basketball in Taiwan during his three seasons there.

As Lin embarks on this new chapter in his life, his fans and teammates have expressed their appreciation for his journey. He concluded his announcement with a message of gratitude, stating, “Thank you all for believing in me, for walking with me, for celebrating my highs and picking me up in my lows. This is a ride I never wanted to end but I know it’s time.”

Through his remarkable career, Jeremy Lin has not only entertained fans but has also inspired many by breaking barriers and redefining what is possible in professional sports. As he steps away from the game, his legacy will undoubtedly endure, influencing future generations of athletes.