Jeremy Lin Announces Retirement

Jeremy Lin’s basketball story began with a surge that gripped the sport and forever altered the New York Knicks’ narrative.

On Saturday, Lin officially announced his retirement, closing a 15-year professional career that carried him from Madison Square Garden’s brightest lights to international leagues in China and Taiwan.

The 36-year-old guard shared the news on Instagram, reflecting on the weight of the decision. “As athletes, we are always aware that the possibility of retirement is never far away,” Lin wrote. “Actually saying goodbye to basketball today has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made.” He thanked fans, teammates, and loved ones, acknowledging their support as the force behind his improbable rise.

Lin’s path was as unlikely as it was transformative. An undrafted Harvard guard and the son of Taiwanese immigrants, he spent his early years bouncing between rosters with the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. By early 2012, he seemed destined to drift out of the league—until a desperate Knicks team gave him a chance.

Inserted into the rotation, Lin erupted in February of that year. He scored 25 against the New Jersey Nets, followed by 28 against the Utah Jazz and 23 with 10 assists against the Washington Wizards. Suddenly, the Knicks had a sensation, and the basketball world had “Linsanity.”

The phenomenon reached its peak against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Under the glare of Madison Square Garden, Lin scored a career-best 38 points, sending the crowd into frenzy and turning him into the face of the NBA’s first true social media-era craze.

The magic faded quickly. Carmelo Anthony’s return shifted the offense, a coaching change minimized Lin’s role, and a knee injury halted his breakout. He never replicated that stretch, but Lin forged a respectable career across eight NBA teams. In 2019, he became the first Asian American player to win an NBA championship, lifting the trophy with the Toronto Raptors.

Lin later found success overseas, starring in China and Taiwan. His final season ended with MVP honors and a championship for the New Taipei Kings.

Though his playing days are done, “Linsanity” remains unforgettable. Jeremy Lin’s story endures as one of resilience, representation, and cultural impact—a moment when the Knicks, and basketball, belonged to him.