The Taiwanese American basketball player, who is a rising star on the court, discusses who he wants on his fantasy team, dealing with naysayers and what he is really like off the courts
Basketball has always been a big part of Joseph Lin’s life. The sport played a fundamental part in shaping the Taiwanese-American professional athlete’s childhood and helped him bond with his two older brothers, Jeremy and Joshua. The three brothers were introduced to basketball by their father at a young age, and the investment paid off handsomely in later years.
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Second brother Jeremy, in particular, sparked the “Linsanity” phenomenon globally in 2012 when he became the first Asian-American to be drafted into the NBA.
Joseph’s own journey into professional basketball in Taiwan was initially tied to Jeremy, but he has been holding his own and making his mark on and off the courts.
The start of Joseph’s basketball career
Born and raised in the United States, Joseph spent most of his childhood in Palo Alto, California. It wasn’t until the summer after his junior year that he got his time on the court and caught the eye of the Taipei Fubon Braves, a semi-professional team in Taiwan.
Initial plans to study graphic design or be a professional gamer were shelved when he chose to sign on to play professional basketball in his parents’ homeland. In 2015, after graduating from the private liberal arts school Hamilton College in New York State, Joseph relocated to Taiwan to start his journey as a pro athlete.
During his time with the Taipei Fubon Braves, the team secured its first championship win at the Super Basketball League (SBL) and clinched two wins at the P. League+ (PLG) championships. Joseph was also named the first rookie ever to feature in the all-SBL team.
