Santa Cruz Warriors guard Jeremy Lin has spoken out against racist acts directed at Asians, implying he's been called "coronavirus" on the court.
"Something is changing in this generation of Asian Americans," the former NBA star posted to his Instagram account Thursday. "We are tired of being told that we don't experience racism, we are tired of being told to keep our heads down and not make trouble."
The G League has opened an investigation following Lin's statement, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Recent aggression toward Asian Americans has targeted the elderly following a rise in xenophobic rhetoric stemming from the spread of COVID-19, which originated in China, according to National Public Radio's Eric Westervelt.
"I want better for my elders who worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make a life for themselves here," Lin said.
"Being an Asian American doesn't mean we don't experience poverty and racism," Lin added. "Being a nine-year NBA veteran doesn't protect me from being called 'coronavirus' on the court."
Lin, 32, enjoyed a storied NBA career that started with a famed spell with the New York Knicks in 2011-12, which included a 38-point performance versus Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The well-traveled veteran last played in the NBA on the Toronto Raptors' championship team in 2019 before penning a deal with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association.
In January, Lin joined the Golden State Warriors' G League affiliate, Santa Cruz, using the new NBA veteran exception rule. Lin is averaging 19.6 points and 7.2 assists for Santa Cruz in the G League "Gubble."
