Jeremy Lin Net Worth in 2025: Hey everyone, if you’re a basketball fan or just love a good underdog story, you’ve probably heard of Jeremy Lin. The guy who sparked “Linsanity” back in 2012 and became an overnight sensation. Well, fast forward to 2025, and Lin has just announced his retirement from professional basketball on August 31st, capping off a 15-year career that’s been nothing short of inspiring. As someone who’s followed his journey, I thought it’d be cool to dive into his net worth and how he built it. According to recent estimates, Jeremy Lin’s net worth sits at around $36 million.
That’s not LeBron-level money, but for a guy who went undrafted and faced tons of obstacles, it’s a testament to his grit, smart moves off the court, and global appeal. In this post, we’ll break it down step by step, from his early days to his latest ventures. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Path to the Pros
Jeremy Lin’s story starts in Torrance, California, where he was born on August 23, 1988, to Taiwanese immigrant parents, Gie-ming and Shirley Lin. Growing up in Palo Alto, he was the middle child with an older brother, Josh, and a younger one, Joseph. Basketball was a family affair—his parents taught him the basics at the local YMCA, and his mom even helped start a junior league to keep things balanced with school.
Lin excelled in high school, captaining Palo Alto High to a 32-1 record and a state championship in 2006. He averaged solid stats: 15.1 points, 7.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 5 steals per game. But here’s where the underdog vibe kicks in—no major college scholarships came knocking. Instead, he walked on at Harvard University, studying economics and maintaining a 3.1 GPA. At Harvard, he shattered records, becoming the first Ivy League player with 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists, and 200 steals.
- Key high school achievement: Led team to CIF Division II state title.
- College highlights: Three-time All-Ivy League selection; averaged 16.4 points in senior year.
- Fun fact: Lin turned down walk-on spots at bigger schools like Stanford to pursue Harvard’s academics.
This foundation set him up for the NBA, but going undrafted in 2010 was a tough pill. He signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent, becoming the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the league. His rookie salary? A modest $473,000.
The Linsanity Phenomenon
Ah, Linsanity—the moment that changed everything. In February 2012, while with the New York Knicks, Lin was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries. What followed was pure magic: a seven-game winning streak where he averaged 24.4 points and 9.1 assists. He dropped 38 points on Kobe Bryant’s Lakers and even hit a game-winner against Toronto. The world went nuts—Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people, and his jersey sales skyrocketed.
Linsanity wasn’t just about stats; it was cultural. As an Asian-American in a sport dominated by others, Lin broke barriers and inspired millions. But it ended abruptly with a knee injury requiring surgery. Still, that stretch boosted his marketability big time.
- Iconic games: 38 points vs. Lakers; 27 points and 11 assists vs. Mavericks.
- Awards: ESPY for Breakthrough Athlete; Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
- Impact: Sparked global interest in the NBA, especially in Asia.
Post-Linsanity, the Knicks didn’t match a $25 million offer from the Houston Rockets, so Lin headed there in 2012.
NBA Career Highlights and Earnings
Lin’s NBA run spanned nine teams over a decade, with ups and downs including injuries. He played for the Warriors (2010-11), Knicks (2011-12), Rockets (2012-14), Lakers (2014-15), Hornets (2015-16), Nets (2016-18), Hawks (2018-19), and Raptors (2019). His crowning achievement? Winning the NBA championship with Toronto in 2019, making him the first Asian-American to do so.
Earnings-wise, Lin raked in about $64.5 million from NBA salaries alone. His peak payday was $14.9 million with the Lakers in 2014-15. But injuries, like a ruptured patellar tendon in 2017, limited his play and contracts.
- Total NBA games: 480, averaging 11.6 points, 4.3 assists.
- Championship: 2019 with Raptors (played sparingly in playoffs).
- Challenges: Waived multiple times; battled stereotypes and injuries.
Despite the rollercoaster, his NBA stint laid the financial groundwork for his net worth.
Post-NBA Ventures and International Success
After the NBA, Lin didn’t hang up his sneakers. He joined the Beijing Ducks in the CBA in 2019, earning over $3 million annually and becoming an All-Star. In 2023, he moved to Taiwan’s P. League+, first with the Kaohsiung Steelers, then the New Taipei Kings. There, he won back-to-back championships in 2024 (PLG) and 2025 (TPBL), earning MVP honors in the 2025 finals and season.
These international gigs added to his earnings and kept his brand strong in Asia. He even got a Taiwanese passport in 2020, opening doors for national team play, though injuries sidelined earlier attempts.
- Recent awards: 2025 TPBL MVP, Finals MVP, All-Defensive First Team.
- Stats in Taiwan: Led league in assists; clutch performer.
- Retirement reason: After 15 years, called it the “hardest decision,” focusing on family and faith.
Endorsements, Investments, and Philanthropy
Lin’s net worth isn’t just from playing—off-court deals have been huge. Endorsements peaked at $4 million yearly, with partners like Nike (early $200K deal), Adidas ($3M/year for five years), Xtep (signature shoes selling out in Asia), Volvo, and Tag Heuer. Overall, he’s earned $51 million from endorsements.
Investments include $15 million in Plays.tv (gamer platform) and $4 million in NEX Team’s HomeCourt app for AI basketball training. On the personal side, he’s lived modestly—renting a fancy NYC apartment for $13K/month during Linsanity and staying in team-perked suites. He has ties to a family home in Taiwan.
Philanthropy is big for Lin, a devout Christian. His Jeremy Lin Foundation runs “3’s for Hope,” donating $500 per three-pointer to charities. He’s all about giving back, especially to underserved communities.
- Top endorsements: Adidas for custom sneakers; Xtep for Asian market dominance.
- Investments: Tech-focused on sports and gaming.
- Giving back: Foundation supports education and youth programs.
In wrapping up, Jeremy Lin’s $36 million net worth in 2025 reflects more than money—it’s about perseverance, breaking barriers, and smart choices. From Harvard grad to global icon, his legacy inspires. Whether he’s coaching, investing, or philanthropizing next, Lin’s story is far from over. What do you think—did Linsanity change basketball forever? Drop your thoughts in the comments!