(Reuters) – The NBA’s G League has launched an investigation after Jeremy Lin described them as a “coronavirus” on the court, U.S. media reported Friday.
Taiwanese-American Lin, who is part of the Golden State Warriors’ G League league, Santa Cruz Warriors, made the claim in a post on Facebook Thursday but did not specify when or where the incident took place.
“Being an Asian American doesn’t mean we don’t get poverty and racism,” said the former New York Knicks guard. “Being a nine-year NBA veteran does not protect me from being named ‘coronavirus’ in court. ”
A league spokesman confirmed to the New York Times that an investigation has been opened.
Lin, who last year pledged up to $ 1 million to coronavirus relief efforts, also said there was a generational shift in Asian Americans.
“We’re tired of being told we don’t suffer racism, we’re tired of asking us to keep our heads down and not cause trouble,” he said.
“We’re tired of Native American kids growing up and being asked where they really are, from making fun of our eyes … We’re tired of being invisible … or on to say that our struggles are not so real. ”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed his support.
“I saw the job,” Kerr told reporters. “Very powerful. I commend Jeremy for his words and respond to his views on racism against the Asian American community. ”
Lin began his NBA career with the Warriors in 2010 before moving to the Knicks, where he exploded in what became known as “Linsanity” after his accomplishments in the 2011-12 season.
He also had spells with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks and in 2019 became the first Asian-American to win an NBA Championship, doing so with the Toronto Raptors.
Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Edited by Clarence Fernandez