Jeremy Lin, a Harvard graduate and son of immigrants from Taiwan, rose from relative anonymity to worldwide fame during an electrifying two-week stretch with the New York Knicks in 2012. Dubbed “Linsanity,” his unlikely emergence as an NBA superstar inspired Asian communities across the globe and challenged stereotypes about what it takes to make it in professional basketball.
Jeremy Lin Net Worth
While Jeremy Lin’s NBA career has had its share of ups and downs since the height of Linsanity, he has built an impressive net worth estimated at $36 million as of 2024. His earnings from annual NBA player salaries and endorsement deals with high-profile brands like Nike and Adidas are largely responsible.
Jeremy Lin’s Early Life
Jeremy Shu-How Lin was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 23, 1988. The son of Taiwanese immigrants, Lin grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Palo Alto. His parents worked in technology – his father, Gie-Ming, was a mechanical engineer, while his mother, Shirley, worked in Silicon Valley.
Basketball was an early passion for Lin. He tried unsuccessfully to join his hometown middle school team in 7th grade, spurring him to work hard on honing his game. He eventually starred on his team at Palo Alto High, guiding them to a state championship in 2006.
Despite this success, Lin received minimal attention from major college basketball programs. Ivy League institution Harvard offered him a scholarship, which he eagerly accepted.
Jeremy Lin Career
Jeremy Lin played a key role on the Harvard basketball team during his four years there. He became the first player in Ivy League history to record more than 1,450 points (1,483), 450 rebounds (487), 400 assists (406), and 200 steals (225) during his college career.
Lin declared his eligibility for the 2010 NBA draft but was unselected. He spent his rookie year on the bench for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA D-League before the Warriors offered him a short-term contract in late 2011.
The New York Knicks claimed Lin off waivers on December 27th, 2011, but he found few opportunities to contribute behind star point guards Baron Davis and Mike Bibby.
That all changed on February 4, 2012, when Lin came off the bench and led a depleted Knicks lineup to a shocking victory against the New Jersey Nets, scoring 25 points. His stellar play continued over a remarkable 11-game stretch where Lin averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 assists, garnering global attention and sparking the “Linsanity” media sensation.
A knee injury ended his breakout season prematurely. He signed with the Houston Rockets the following offseason. Lin enjoyed a steady seven-year NBA career before venturing to China’s CBA in 2019 to play a starring role with the Beijing Ducks.
Jeremy Lin NBA Career
Jeremy Lin’s NBA career spanned nine seasons from 2010 to 2019. Nicknamed “Linsanity” after his burst into superstardom with the Knicks, Lin was a revelation to Asian communities and undrafted underdogs alike. His unlikely emergence as one of the league’s premiere point guards represented the power of perseverance and hard work paying off.
Lin’s averages of 14.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 41% field goal shooting over 349 regular season NBA games were impressive for an undrafted player cut multiple times. Injuries certainly hampered his development, as Lin struggled to replicate his 2011-12 breakout form after injuring his knee late that season.
He cemented his folk hero status among NBA fans by shining in big moments, including a 26-point outburst to lead the Hornets back from 23 points down against the Spurs in 2016.
Lin’s NBA career ultimately fell short of the impossible expectations created during Linsanity. Still, his perseverance, passion, and scoring prowess made him an inspiration to millions of fans no matter the colors of the jerseys he wore.
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Jeremy Lin’s Personal Life
Jeremy Lin keeps his personal and family life mostly private. What is known is that he is a dedicated and devout Christian. Lin’s religious beliefs and humility endeared him to fans during the height of Linsanity.
Lin has used his fame off the court for philanthropic work and social justice advocacy. He started the Jeremy Lin Foundation during his Knicks tenure to provide sports and education opportunities to underprivileged children. He is also an active supporter of mental health awareness and anti-racism causes.
Jeremy Lin Wife
While his previous relationships received attention from celebrity gossip writers, Jeremy Lin has largely avoided discussing his relationships publicly since “Linsanity.”
Little is known about his current relationship status or whether he has a wife or children. In early 2023, he appeared to allude to his bachelor status in a social media post encouraging people to focus less on their relationship status as a measure of identity or self-worth on the new year.
Unknown Facts about Jeremy Lin
Here are some lesser-known tidbits about Jeremy Lin’s life and career:
- Lin’s parents pushed him hard academically but were originally unsupportive of his basketball ambitions, even requiring him to earn straight A’s to play on a team in high school.
- Lin was part of a three-generation basketball tradition at Harvard. His maternal grandfather played for Taiwan’s national team in 1956. His father, Gie-Ming, also captained the Harvard team in the 1970s.
- The first time Jeremy Lin dunked a basketball was his junior year at Palo Alto High School at 5’6″. He attributes his high leaping ability to years spent playing volleyball.
- Lin received zero Division I scholarship offers from high school and was not even named all-state in basketball-crazy California.
- New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni planned to cut Jeremy Lin before giving him one last shot against the Nets in 2012 after watching him develop with the D-League Erie BayHawks earlier that year. The rest became history.
- Lin is an avid Fortnite gamer who regularly streamed footage of himself competing in gaming tournaments. Gaming hardware brand NZXT even sponsored him to build a custom gaming PC in early 2022.
Conclusion
Jeremy Lin overcame incredible odds with perseverance, skill, and a flair for dramatic play to achieve global fame. His “Linsanity” emergence became a cultural phenomenon that connected with millions seeking underdog stories. While injuries and inconsistent minutes hampered Line, he never gave up on maximizing his talents. Off the court, Lin is focused on charity work and being a positive role model instead of fame. For these reasons, his incredible story remains an inspiration a decade after that magical two-week stretch at the Garden.
FAQ’s?
Who is Jeremy Lin’s Wife?
Jeremy Lin keeps his personal life very private, so the identity of his wife or girlfriend is not publicly known. In recent years, Lin has indicated she is single and focused on basketball, faith, and philanthropy rather than relationships.
What is Jeremy Lin Net Worth?
Jeremy Lin’s net worth is estimated at around $36 million. The bulk of his wealth comes from NBA salaries with the Knicks, Rockets, Lakers, and Hornets and lucrative endorsement deals with companies like Nike and Adidas.
What happened to Jeremy Lin?
After a breakout 2011-12 season with the Knicks, where he sparked “Linsanity” , Lin battled injuries with other NBA teams in subsequent years. He had productive stints as a starter but faced questions about consistency. In 2019, Lin signed with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association, returning to the court at an All-Star level while becoming an icon to legions of Chinese fans.
How tall is Jeremy Lin?
Jeremy Lin is listed at 6 feet, 3 inches (1.91 meters) tall. His height combines with high leaping ability and speed to make him a versatile offensive weapon.
What is Jeremy Lin age?
As of 2024, Jeremy Lin is 35 years old. He was born on August 23, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, before being raised in Palo Alto in the San Francisco Bay Area.
