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Kevin WangESPN.com
Veteran guard Jeremy Lin has signed with the Beijing Shougang Ducks to play in the Chinese Basketball Association next season, the team announced Tuesday.
In a statement, the Ducks say the team is now in the process of working with the league to get his registration paperwork approved, a procedural move.
Lin, who just turned 31 last week, won his first title with the Toronto Raptors last year. During his nine-year NBA career, he is most remembered for delivering a series of high-scoring performances in early 2012 as a member of the New York Knicks, generating a wave of global sensation known as “Linsanity.”
🇨🇳Beijing, I’m coming!
🏀 @JLin7 made his announcement on Douyin today as former NBA star signs for CBA team Beijing Ducks! #linsanity pic.twitter.com/ps0ma9zTQ4
— Red Lantern (@RedLanternDM) August 27, 2019
Lin, who enjoys a large fan base in Asia, has been linked to speculations that he will sign with a CBA team next year after failing to land an NBA deal as a free agent this summer. During a TV appearance last July in Taiwan, an emotional Lin described a sense of hopelessness.
“In English there’s a saying and it says once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up,” Lin said to an audience of Christian outlet GOOD TV. “But rock bottom just 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’s kind of given up on me.”
The Ducks have been a CBA powerhouse in recent years, winning three league titles while led by former NBA all-star Stephon Marbury. Marbury is now the head coach for the Ducks’ rival team in Beijing.
The announcement Tuesday ended months-long rumors and has since excited many Chinese fans. Following the team’s announcement, Lin posted pictures of him with Beijing teammates on social media. “Beijing, here I come.” Lin wrote.