Jeremy Lin has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball after a remarkable 15-year career. The 37-year-old former NBA star shared the news in an Instagram post on Saturday, describing the decision as the "hardest" he has ever made.

Lin's career gained international attention in 2012 when he led the New York Knicks on a seven-game winning streak, a phenomenon that became known as "Linsanity." His performance during that time transformed him into a global icon and made New York City the center of the basketball universe for several weeks.

In his retirement announcement, Lin reflected on his journey, stating, "It’s been the honor of a lifetime to compete against the fiercest competitors under the brightest lights and to challenge what the world thought was possible for someone who looks like me." He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dreams of playing basketball in front of fans worldwide.

Lin's rise to fame began when he was inserted into the Knicks' starting lineup in February 2012. He quickly made headlines, becoming the first player in NBA history to average at least 20 points and seven assists in his first five starts. One of the highlights of his breakout season was a memorable game against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he scored 38 points, outpacing Kobe Bryant.

Before his success in the NBA, Lin graduated from Harvard University in 2010, where he became the first player in Ivy League history to score over 1,450 points. Despite going undrafted, he signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. After brief stints with the Warriors and the Houston Rockets, he joined the Knicks, where he truly made his mark.

Lin's NBA career spanned nine seasons with eight different teams, including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Toronto Raptors. He won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019, becoming the first Asian American player to achieve this milestone.

After his time in the NBA, Lin continued his career overseas, playing for teams in China and Taiwan. Most recently, he played for the New Taipei Kings, where he was named the MVP of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League.

In his retirement post, Lin thanked those who supported him throughout his journey, saying, "So many people have sacrificed and poured into my journey, more than I could ever repay. Thank you all for believing in me, for walking with me, for celebrating my highs and picking me up in my lows." He concluded by acknowledging the end of his playing days while looking forward to what lies ahead.