What Really Happened to Jeremy Lin? The Heartbreaking Rise and Struggles of an NBA Phenomenon

Jeremy Lin’s story is one of the most remarkable and emotional journeys in basketball history.

From an unknown third-string point guard to a global sensation overnight, Lin’s meteoric rise in 2012 captured the hearts of millions.

But a decade later, at just 32 years old, the NBA star is nowhere to be found in the league.

What caused the rapid fade of “Linsanity,” and why has Jeremy Lin’s career been marked by so many setbacks despite his undeniable talent?

The story begins on a cold February night in 2012.

The New York Knicks were struggling badly, having lost 11 of their last 14 games.

Facing the New Jersey Nets and trailing after the first quarter, coach Mike D’Antoni was desperate for a spark.

His last option was to put in Jeremy Lin, a relatively unknown Asian-American player who was the team’s third-string point guard.

Few expected much, but Lin turned the game—and the Knicks’ season—around.

Lin played 36 minutes, scoring 25 points and dishing out seven assists, leading the Knicks to a 99-92 victory.

This electrifying performance ignited what became known as “Linsanity,” a phenomenon that saw Lin lead the Knicks to seven straight wins and 10 victories in 13 games.

Fans were captivated by his fearless playmaking and leadership, as he averaged 22.3 points and nine assists during that stretch.

His career-high 38 points against Kobe Bryant’s Lakers on national TV cemented his status as a superstar overnight.

But Jeremy Lin’s journey to the NBA was anything but easy.

Despite his evident skill and leadership, Lin was overlooked repeatedly.

Growing up, he was taught basketball by his father and brothers and supported by his mother, who helped organize basketball programs in Palo Alto.

Lin excelled in high school, leading his team to a state title and earning multiple accolades.

Yet, no major college offered him a scholarship.

Undeterred, Lin sent highlight tapes to Ivy League schools and top California universities.

Only Harvard and Brown guaranteed him spots on their teams, though Ivy League schools don’t offer athletic scholarships.

Lin later revealed he believed racial prejudice played a role in being overlooked, as it was unusual for an Asian-American to be considered a serious basketball prospect.

At Harvard, Lin blossomed.

By his junior year, he was one of the top players in his conference and earned first-team All-Ivy League honors.

He shattered school records and led Harvard to historic wins.

Despite this, Lin went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft—a bitter disappointment for a player with such credentials.

Lin refused to give up.

He impressed during summer league play with the Dallas Mavericks and eventually signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Golden State Warriors, becoming the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the NBA.

However, playing time was scarce behind stars like Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis, and Lin spent much of his rookie season in the D-League.

After brief stints with the Warriors and Rockets, Lin was picked up by the Knicks in 2012, where “Linsanity” took off.

But injury struck soon after, tearing his meniscus and abruptly ending his magical run.

Despite his incredible impact, the Knicks declined to re-sign him, and Lin’s career entered a period of instability.

Over the next several years, Lin bounced between six NBA teams, including the Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Nets, Hawks, and Raptors.

He had moments of brilliance—starting all 82 games for Houston in 2013, shooting a career-high 36.9% from three with the Lakers, and posting solid numbers with the Nets.

Yet injuries continued to plague him, including a devastating ruptured patellar tendon that sidelined him for an entire season.

His final NBA season with the Raptors was particularly tough, as he played limited minutes on a team that won the championship without him.

Lin became the first Asian-American and Harvard graduate to play in an NBA Finals, but it was a bittersweet milestone.

With no NBA offers forthcoming, Lin returned to China to play for the Beijing Ducks, where he dominated the league before attempting a comeback in the G League in 2020.

Despite strong performances in the G League, Lin was unable to secure an NBA contract.

At 32, many considered him too old, though players like Chris Paul, LeBron James, and Klay Thompson have thrived well past that age.

The bigger issue, it seems, has always been the NBA’s reluctance to fully embrace an Asian-American player, despite coaches and executives later admitting they had underestimated Lin’s talent.

In June 2021, Lin announced he was returning to the Beijing Ducks, expressing feelings of abandonment by the NBA.

His story is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by minority athletes in professional sports, and the harsh realities of injuries and team dynamics.

Jeremy Lin’s career is far from over, but his journey underscores the complexities of talent, opportunity, and acceptance in the NBA.

His rise and struggles have inspired countless fans worldwide, proving that skill and heart can break barriers, even if the path remains difficult.