Classic Photos of Jeremy Lin

SI Staff | Dec 16, 2012

Classic Photos of Jeremy Lin /

Classic Photos of Jeremy Lin

Former Knick Jeremy Lin returns to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 17 as a member of the Rockets, with whom he signed last offseason after New York famously declined to match Houston's three-year, $25.1 million offer. Here's a look at Lin's rise from undrafted, twice-waived Harvard point guard to global phenomenon. Born to Shirley and Gie-Ming Lin on Aug. 23, 1988, Jeremy Lin (center) grew up around basketball, learning the game from his father at a local YMCA in Palo Alto, Calif.

Lin led Palo Alto High School to a Division II state title as a senior, averaging 15.1 points, 7.1 assists and 5 steals for the 32-1 Vikings.

121216215345-jeremy-lin-harvard-amaker-single-image-cut.jpg — Peter Gregoire/SI

Having received no Division I scholarship offers, Lin decided to attend Harvard, one of the few schools that guaranteed him a spot on its basketball team, in 2006.

At Harvard, Lin became the first player in Ivy League history to record at least 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals.

121216215350-jeremy-lin-harvard-picture-single-image-cut.jpg — Peter Gregoire/SI

Lin helped Harvard set numerous program records during his senior year, including the mark for wins (21) and non-conference wins (11), and he was named a finalist for both the Bob Cousy Award (nation's top point guard) and the John R. Wooden Award (national player of the year).

Undrafted out of Harvard, Lin caught on with the Mavericks in the summer league. Over five games he averaged 9.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.6 minutes, shooting a team-leading 54.5 percent from the floor.

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

Lin signed a two-year deal with his hometown Warriors in the summer of 2010. The first first Taiwanese-American player in the NBA, Lin regularly received ovations regardless of the score.

121216215359-jeremy-lin-warriors-in-motion-single-image-cut.jpg — Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

In 29 games with the Warriors, Lin averaged 2.6 points and 1.4 assists in just 9.8 minutes.

Lin was sent down to the Warriors' D-League team, the Reno Bighorns, on three occasions during the 2010-11 season. In 20 games with the Bighorns, Lin averaged 18 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

The Warriors waived Lin on the first day of training camp for the 2011-12 season. After a short preseason stint with the Rockets, Lin joined the Knicks on Dec. 27.

121216215355-jeremy-lin-knicks-crouch-single-image-cut.jpg — Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Lin played sparingly through the Knicks' first 23 games before tallying 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds (all career highs) in a 99-92 win over the Nets on Feb. 4.

In the month of February, Lin averaged 20.9 points and 8.4 assists, leading the Knicks to a 10-5 record. He had started the season fourth on the Knicks' depth chart at point guard, behind Mike Bibby, Baron Davis and Toney Douglas.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Lin's meteoric rise earned him the admiration of fans both at home and on the road. Here's a sample of some of the signs fans made during the reign of "Linsanity."

An afterthought at the beginning of the season, Lin did not even make the All-Star ballot. He was, however, eventually added to the roster for the Rising Stars Challenge.

Lin shares a moment with Knicks superfan Spike Lee. Lee donned Lin's No. 4 Palo Alto High School jersey during the Knicks' game against the Hornets on Feb. 17.

Mike D'Antoni, who had been instrumental in Lin's rise with his heavy pick-and-roll offense, stepped down as Knicks coach on March 14. The Knicks named assistant coach Mike Woodson in his place. Under Woodson, Lin came back down to earth, averaging 14.6 points (on 40.7 percent shooting), 6.3 assists and 3.8 turnovers.

The Knicks shut down Lin in late March with a knee injury that would eventually sideline him for the postseason as well. Here, he watches the playoffs from the sidelines with an injured Amar'e Stoudemire.

Lin won the ESPY for Breakthrough Athlete of 2012 in July. He celebrated by wearing a bow tie and spending time with Jessica Biel and Tim Tebow.

Lin studies a grapefruit in the summer of 2012.

Lin's outstanding play (and global appeal) made him an international sensation. He entered the 2012 offseason as a restricted free agent, but the Knicks were reportedly prepared to match any offer on Lin "up to 1 billion dollars."

In July, the Rockets called the Knicks bluff, offering Lin a three-year deal worth $25.1 million. The Knicks declined to match the offer.

On Oct. 28, 2012, Houston traded for James Harden, pairing him with Lin in the backcourt. The two combined for 49 points and 20 assists in their debut for the Rockets.

Published Dec 16, 2012

SI STAFF