The End of “Linsanity”

Jeremy Lin has officially retired from basketball, sharing the news through an Instagram post on Saturday evening.

“As athletes, we always know retirement isn’t too far off,” Lin noted. “Fifteen years in, I understood that this day would come. Saying farewell to basketball today has been one of the toughest choices I’ve ever faced.”

The 37-year-old Lin enjoyed a nine-season NBA career, during which he averaged 11.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals across 480 games.

“Many have supported me along this journey, giving so much more than I could ever repay,” he continued, expressing gratitude in both English and Chinese. “Thank you for believing in me, celebrating my height, and lifting me up when I was at my lowest.”

“I’ll always miss the joy of playing basketball in front of you, but our connection extends beyond just the game.”

Lin, who went undrafted in 2010, initially signed with the Warriors. He played in 29 games before the team released him during the 2010-11 season.

Interestingly, Lin gained fame during his standout 2011-12 season with the Knicks, where he averaged a remarkable 14.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.6 steals over 35 games. His “Linsanity” phase in February had fans buzzing as he averaged 25 points and 9.2 assists, helping the Knicks achieve a seven-game winning streak.

Following his time with the Knicks, Lin played for five other NBA teams, including a brief stint with the Nets. He wrapped up his NBA career in 2019 with the Raptors, clinching his first and only NBA championship.

After his NBA days, Lin took his talents overseas, playing in the Chinese Basketball Association from the 2019-20 season until 2022-23.