What exactly is the plight of today’s modern college basketball athlete? Well for some it could be NBA stardom and a life no one could forget, for others it could be trouble-filled years of D-League debacles and mishaps. But what if I told you there was one person, who in his actions, revolutionized the sport in only two weeks and has put the NBA back on the map after its lockout.
What if I also told you that this person has cast an example for thousands of college athletes and those pursuing their dreams? Many of you may know already who this week’s spotlight will be on, but for others, read on to find out just why college athletics, a little bit of good luck and a coach’s gamble has changed the sports world.
A quality (but apparently not stand out) Palo Alto High School senior, Jeremy Lin knew he had what it took. But he was not given a chance as talent scouts did not even put him on their radar. When it came time for applying to nearby Stanford University, the team discussed the possibility of having Lin walk on for them. But he denied this offer and headed to Harvard University, without a scholarship.
Earning a degree in economics, Lin became a leader on his college squad. Told he might have the potential for an NBA draft spot, Lin graduated Harvard University with the intent of making it big, but not knowing if his dream was absurd or not.
Lin went on to become an undrafted free agent who was invited to the Dallas Mavericks mini-camp. Later offered contracts from three teams, Lin choose to sign with the Golden State Warriors. But fate was not ready to overtake Lin’s ascent just yet, and he was later cut. After being a part of two Houston Rockets preseason games, Lin would again meet the same ill-fated result.
But the humble Harvard grad was not deterred; he still planned on using his experiences from the Ivy League and his impressive 16.0 points per game as a senior to land him credibility in someone’s system. That system just so happened to be the New York Knicks.
This Knicks signing, an omen of what was to come, was far from life changing for the point guard initially. He was sent to the D-League multiple times in the beginning of this season and logged only 55 minutes in close to 25 games. But impressive D-League numbers and an extension on the injury to Baron Davis led Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni to give Lin another shot. This opportunity came in a time when the Knicks were getting embarrassed by the Celtics and Mike D’Antoni gambled with putting Lin in the game.
Soon after, the head coach would look to Lin again in a game versus the New Jersey Nets. From that point on, Linsanity was underway. In the next 8 games, Lin went on to average 25 points per game and 8 assists. Number seventeen Lin jerseys began flying off the shelves, New York Knicks stocks were at their highest level in years and Lin’s twitter exploded to a million followers.
Every movement in mainstream media became a briefing about Jeremy Lin and no one could turn away from the headlines he was producing. He took over the point guard spot and showed the world that this Asian-American and first Harvard player to play in the NBA since 1954, was here to stay. Displaying an unbelievable work ethic, Jeremy Lin has remained in the lineup while helping to turn around the Knicks’ season.
There’s absolutely no saying where Linsanity will take us next, but as of now, the Knicks have continued to win repeatedly under their new point guard. In the two week process it has taken Lin to conquer the basketball world, he has moved off of his brother’s couch and into a Trump Suite in White Plains, N.Y. and has also silenced many critics.
The Asian-American point guard has defied stereotypes of Asian basketball players and has shown the college world what a little hard work can do. As an undrafted free agent, Lin used his experiences and smarts to maneuver his way into the ‘big-time.
As a wake-up call for all college athletes, this has shown that no matter who you are (whether that be a star at a Division one program or even a Division three walk-on), there’s no saying what you can do once you put your mind to it. As cliché as that might be, just listen to the next press conference with the humble Jeremy Lin. There you’ll see a man who has defied the boundaries society has placed down on mediocre college players with larger than life work ethics.
As Linsanity continues, lets just remember to bear his name in mind when we see the next cast of athletes who have sprung from little except for the sneakers on their feet.
