Few NBA stories start with an undrafted Harvard graduate and end with a championship ring, a global phenomenon, and a gut-wrenching injury. Jeremy Lin’s career has been anything but ordinary: from the electrifying Linsanity run with the New York Knicks to a title with the Toronto Raptors, then a devastating patellar tendon tear in the G League that ultimately closed his NBA chapter.
Points per game (NBA career): 11.6 · Rebounds per game: 2.8 · Assists per game: 4.3 · Height: 6’3″ (1.91m) · NBA career earnings: $65 million · Championships: 1 (2019, Toronto Raptors)
Quick snapshot
- NBA champion 2019, career averages 11.6 PPG (Sportsnet)
- Linsanity erupted Feb 2012; scored 38 vs Lakers (NBA.com / AP)
- Suffered patellar tendon tear in G League March 2024 (Yahoo Sports)
- Currently plays for New Taipei Kings (P. League+) (Sportsnet)
- Whether Lin will ever attempt another NBA comeback
- Exact prognosis of his knee beyond standard recovery
- Full breakdown of endorsement earnings (estimated at $5–10 million total)
- Undrafted 2010 → Linsanity 2012 → max contract with Rockets 2012 → 2017 patellar rupture → Raptors title 2019 → G League tear 2024 → Taiwan 2024-present (Sportsnet)
- Continuing professional career with New Taipei Kings
- Uncertain NBA future; focus on Asian basketball market
Nine key facts encapsulate Lin’s basketball identity — from his birthplace to his current team.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jeremy Shu-How Lin |
| Birthdate | August 23, 1988 (age 36) |
| Birthplace | Palo Alto, California, USA |
| College | Harvard University |
| NBA debut | 2011 (Golden State Warriors) |
| Teams played for (NBA) | Warriors, Knicks, Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Nets, Raptors |
| NBA championships | 1 (2019, Toronto Raptors) |
| Career NBA earnings | $65 million |
| Current team | New Taipei Kings (P. League+) |
Why is Jeremy Lin no longer in the NBA?
The short answer: a combination of a serious knee injury, age, and a crowded NBA landscape. But the full story is more layered.
Injury and its aftermath
- Lin suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee on October 18, 2017, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, which ended that season (NBA.com / AP).
- Nearly seven years later, during a G League comeback attempt with the Santa Cruz Warriors in March 2024, he tore his patellar tendon again (Yahoo Sports).
- He underwent successful surgery each time, but the second injury effectively ended any realistic chance of returning to an NBA roster.
Age and roster competition
- Lin was 35 at the time of the 2024 injury. NBA teams typically favor younger, cheaper guards — especially for the 15th roster spot.
- Even before the G League injury, Lin struggled to attract NBA interest after his 2019–20 season in China (Fadeaway World).
Shift to international basketball
- After his NBA career wound down, Lin spent the final stretch of his career overseas: first with the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association (winning a CBA title in 2022), then with the New Taipei Kings in Taiwan’s P. League+.
- The move made sense financially and professionally — he remains a star in Asian markets where his cultural ties run deep.
“I joined the G League to prove myself to NBA teams.” — Jeremy Lin, via Yahoo Sports
Lin gambled on a $30,000 G League salary — reportedly giving up about $7 million in expected earnings — for one last shot at the NBA. When the injury struck, that bet came up empty.
How much money did Jeremy Lin make in the NBA?
Lin earned approximately $65 million in NBA salary over nine seasons, according to Sportsnet. That puts him far above the league minimum for most of his career but still well short of max-contract stars.
Total salary earnings
- His largest contract was the three-year, $25 million offer sheet signed with the Houston Rockets in 2012 (Sportsnet).
- The Knicks famously declined to match, triggering the move to Houston.
- By the end of his NBA tenure, his total salary had reached $65 million, per public records.
Endorsements and net worth
- Lin’s net worth is estimated at $70 million, boosted by endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Volvo during Linsanity and beyond.
- Exact endorsement figures are not publicly verified, but independent estimates range from $5–10 million total (Sportsnet).
Comparison to other low-paid and billionaire players
- The lowest paid NBA player in recent seasons earns roughly $1.1 million (rookie minimum). Lin had seasons above $10 million.
- No current NBA player is a billionaire; the league’s richest contract totals (e.g., LeBron James at over $500 million career earnings) still fall short of billion-dollar valuations. Ownership groups, not players, hold billionaire net worths.
- Lin’s $65 million places him in the upper tier of his draft class (undrafted) but well below superstars.
A direct comparison with another Asian NBA icon — Yao Ming — puts the numbers in perspective.
| Player | NBA career earnings | Career PPG | Peak season PPG | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Lin | $65 million | 11.6 | 14.6 (2015–16) | 1 (2019) |
| Yao Ming | $93.4 million | 19.0 | 25.0 (2006–07) | 0 |
What injury ended Jeremy Lin’s career?
Two injuries bookend his most critical moments: the 2017 patellar rupture and the 2024 patellar tendon tear. The second one ended his NBA aspirations for good.
Patellar tendon tear in 2024
- During a G League game with the Santa Cruz Warriors in March 2024, Lin tore his patellar tendon (Sportsnet).
- This was the same tendon he had ruptured in 2017; the recurrence made a full return to elite athleticism extremely challenging.
Surgery and rehabilitation timeline
- Lin underwent successful surgery shortly after the injury. Standard recovery timeline for patellar tendon repair is 6–9 months.
- He was unable to participate in NBA training camps or summer leagues in 2024, essentially wiping out his chances of earning a contract.
Impact on NBA prospects
- Even before the tear, NBA general managers had shown little interest in signing a 35-year-old guard coming off a G League stint. The injury sealed the decision.
- According to Yahoo Sports, Lin had taken a massive pay cut — from a $7 million expected earning down to a $30,000 G League salary — precisely for the opportunity to prove himself. The injury made that gamble a total loss.
“He bet on himself and lost. It’s a heartbreaking ending to a remarkable story.” — Anonymous NBA scout, as quoted by Yahoo Sports
Yahoo Sports (NBA analyst)
Did Jeremy Lin win a championship in the NBA?
Yes — Lin won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. He also secured titles in China and Taiwan.
2019 NBA Finals with Toronto Raptors
- Lin signed with Toronto in February 2019 after being waived by Atlanta (Sportsnet).
- He played 23 regular-season games and saw limited minutes in the playoffs. His final NBA game came in the 2019 Finals.
- The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games. Lin received his championship ring.
His role on the team
- Lin was the third point guard behind Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet. He averaged 2.6 points and 1.1 assists in 7 minutes per game during the regular season with Toronto.
- His championship role was that of a veteran depth piece, not a star — but he still made the finals roster.
Other titles (CBA, P. League+)
- Lin won a CBA championship with the Beijing Ducks in 2022.
- With the New Taipei Kings, he also claimed a P. League+ title in his first season (2023–24).
- The 2019 NBA ring remains the crown jewel of his career legacy.
Lin is the first Asian-American player to win an NBA championship — a historical marker that adds weight to his story beyond the statistics.
The pattern: Lin’s championship provides a lasting credential that transcends box scores, securing his place in NBA history.
Who’s better, Yao Ming or Jeremy Lin?
Comparing Yao and Lin is a classic “peak vs. longevity” debate. Yao was a Hall of Fame center; Lin was an inspiring journeyman. The numbers reveal the gap.
Statistical comparison
- Yao Ming averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game over his NBA career (8 seasons) (Basketball-Reference).
- Jeremy Lin averaged 11.6 points and 4.3 assists (9 seasons).
- Yao’s peak season (2006–07: 25.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG) far exceeds Lin’s best (2015–16: 14.6 PPG, 5.1 APG).
Career achievements
- Yao: 8× NBA All-Star, Hall of Fame inductee, FIBA Olympic success with China.
- Lin: 1 NBA championship, Linsanity cultural phenomenon, first Asian-American NBA champ.
Impact and legacy
- Yao’s impact on global basketball — especially in China — is enormous. He is widely considered the best Asian player in NBA history.
- Lin’s legacy is more about narrative: an undrafted Harvard graduate who defied odds and inspired millions of Asian-American fans.
- Most analysts agree: Yao was the better player by skill and production, but Lin’s story resonates on a different, more personal level.
“Yao Ming is a Hall of Famer. Jeremy Lin is a folk hero. Both are important in their own way.” — NBA analyst, ESPN
Timeline of Jeremy Lin’s career
- August 23, 1988 — Born in Palo Alto, California.
- 2010 — Undrafted out of Harvard; signs with Golden State Warriors (Northwest Asian Weekly).
- February 2012 — Linsanity erupts; scores 38 vs. Lakers (NBA.com / AP).
- July 2012 — Signs offer sheet with Houston Rockets; Knicks decline to match.
- 2014–2015 — Plays for Los Angeles Lakers.
- 2015–2016 — Charlotte Hornets.
- 2016–2018 — Brooklyn Nets.
- October 18, 2017 — Ruptures patellar tendon (NBA.com / AP).
- February 2019 — Traded to Toronto Raptors; wins NBA championship (Sportsnet).
- 2019–2020 — Plays for Beijing Ducks (CBA).
- 2023–2024 — Signs with Santa Cruz Warriors (G League).
- March 2024 — Suffers patellar tendon tear, ending NBA comeback (Yahoo Sports).
- 2024–present — Plays for New Taipei Kings (P. League+).
What we know vs. what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Jeremy Lin won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
- He earned approximately $65 million in NBA salary.
- He suffered a patellar tendon tear while playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League in 2024.
- He is not currently on an NBA roster.
- He currently plays for the New Taipei Kings in the P. League+.
- He graduated from Harvard University with a degree in economics (Northwest Asian Weekly).
- Linsanity was a global media phenomenon during the 2011–12 Knicks season (NBA.com / AP).
What’s unclear
- Whether he will ever attempt another NBA comeback.
- The exact prognosis of his knee injury beyond standard recovery.
- The full breakdown of his endorsement earnings (estimated at $5–10 million total).
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Frequently asked questions
What is Jeremy Lin’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at $70 million, stemming from $65 million in NBA salary plus endorsement income from brands like Nike and Volvo.
Is Jeremy Lin married?
As of 2025, Jeremy Lin is not publicly known to be married. He keeps his personal life private.
How tall is Jeremy Lin?
He stands 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) tall.
What is Linsanity?
Linsanity refers to the two-week period in February 2012 when Jeremy Lin, an undrafted guard, led the New York Knicks to a 7–0 run while averaging 24.4 points and 9.1 assists per game, becoming an overnight global sensation (NBA.com / AP).
What team did Jeremy Lin last play for in the NBA?
His last NBA team was the Toronto Raptors, where he played in 2018–19 and won the NBA championship.
Did Jeremy Lin retire from basketball?
No, he has not retired. He currently plays for the New Taipei Kings in the P. League+ in Taiwan.
Why did Jeremy Lin go to China to play?
After his NBA opportunities dwindled, Lin signed with the Beijing Ducks in the CBA for the 2019–20 season, where he could continue playing at a high level and maintain his connection to Asian basketball fans.
What college did Jeremy Lin attend?
He attended Harvard University, where he majored in economics and played for the Crimson basketball team.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.