Jeremy Lin Leaves CBA, Seeks Return to NBA

In an emotional video on Tuesday, Lin announced his decision to leave the Beijing Ducks, which managed to reach the semi-finals but lost to the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

 

The 32-year-old guard previously complained about the rough-house treatment he receives in the CBA.

However, he revealed in the video that he simply still has NBA dreams.

“This decision has really been the hardest in my life,” he told seven million followers on Weibo, according to the AFP.

Lin, as part of the Toronto Raptors, became the first Asian American player to win an NBA championship in 2019.

But when no team decided to sign him last summer, Lin felt that the league had “given up” on him, prompting his decision to take a chance in China and sign a contract with the Beijing Ducks.

“In English, there is a saying that says, ‘Once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up.’ But rock bottom seems to keep getting more and more rock bottom for me. So free agency has been tough. Because I feel like in some ways, the NBA has kind of given up on me. And I always knew that if I gave anybody a reason to doubt, they would,” Lin told a church congregation in New Taipei City.

In his CBA debut last October, Lin scored 40 points for the Ducks, proving that he still belongs in the NBA, according to CBS Sports. He averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game in the regular season.

Lin also announced his decision to leave the CBA in a new Instagram post. He explained how fear got the best of him and how his faith helped him find a new direction.

“I signed in the CBA, it took a whole season, but God really came through for me. He taught me how to play to win again vs playing to not lose,” Lin wrote. “To know the shots going in vs hoping its going in. To dream big again vs. thinking everything’s a setup for disappointment. To be a killer on the court with the talent He gave me 100% for His glory.”

The basketball star shared that he had agonized for weeks over the decision. He also confessed to being in tears as he opened up about his struggle with his family.

“This isn’t about chasing the shadow of Linsanity. Or proving anyone right or wrong. Or about money, fame, reputation or power. It’s about God’s glory and kingdom. It’s about goin’ right at all my past traumas and fears, instead of being forever crippled by them. It’s ultimately about when I see God face-to-face that I could say through HIS strength, I lived with big big faith,” he added.

Fans commented under Lin’s announcement:

Feature Image Screenshots via Jeremy Lin / Weibo