Rookie point guard Jeremy Lin was named to the Golden State Warriors’ 15-man roster on October 25, 2010. Harvard standout Lin has become the first Asian American on an NBA roster since Japanese American Wat Mikasa played for the New York Knicks in the 1947-48 season.
The 6-3, 200-pound Chinese American guard was vying for the 15th spot against Aaron Miles and Jeff Adrien. On October 20 the Warriors waived Miles, virtually ensuring a spot for Lin. However, the official announcement wasn’t released until October 25.
Lin was signed as an undrafted free agent to a two-year contract with the Warriors on July 21 after spending time working out with the Mavericks. Lin has said that he has always wanted to play for the Warriors because it was his home team growing up in the Bay Area. Lin is reportedly guaranteed a modest $250,000 per year salary. The enthusiastic response from the heavily Asian San Francisco Bay area has prompted the Warriors to build a marketing campaign around Lin that will include a jersey bearing his name.
During the preseason Lin averaged 2.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. As the star of the Harvard team during his four years Lin averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 115 career outings. He was the first player in Ivy League history to record at least 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals. The Warriors begin their regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Stadium on Wednesday, October 27.
Lin first attracted a national Asian American following after he led his Palo Alto High team to the California State Championship over heavily favored Mater Dei at ARCO Arena in Sacramento. His Harvard exploits were closely followed by Asian American basketball fans.
