Jeremy Lin Receives Encouragement From Ex-Knicks Guard Wat Misaka, First Asian American in NBA

When he first got to the NBA, Jeremy Lin got some support from an unexpected source. Wataru Misaka, the first non-white NBA player and like Lin an Asian American, sent the Chinese-American point guard a letter of encouragement.

Misaka described the letter in an ESPN report, noting that “he told him ‘Ganbare,’ which means ‘hang in there’ in Japanese.” While Misaka, a Utah resident of Japanese descent, lamented the Lin-fueled Knicks’ win over his hometown Jazz, he said “it’s been great to see” another Asian American doing so well in the NBA. Misaka was a Knicks point guard as well after the team drafted him in 1947.

Misaka also recently emailed the Knicks, according to the report, reaching out to Lin specifically to compliment the rising star on his recent play.

Photo of the Day

Even in the face of doubters, Lin is knocking out opponents left and right.

Quote of the Day

 “I want to be able to do some of the things that he does in terms of the amount of charity work and the non-profit work, and the way he impacts people off the field. I think that is what is most inspiring to me about him.”
–Jeremy Lin on Tim Tebow (via Sports Radio Interviews)

Tweet of the Day

If they give him a bionic ankle, 18 receiving touchdowns is not out of the question.

Video of the Day

Good work science! Earth would not have made it much longer without chocolate printers, so thanks for that.