Jeremy Lin: Asian-Americans are “underestimated”

In a Chinese language interview with an ESPN reporter this week, Jeremy Lin said he believes Asian-Americans, particularly in sports, are "underestimated.”

"In the U.S., a lot of -- doesn’t matter if it's basketball players or people in other professions -- they look at Chinese people or Asians and they surely will underestimate us.

“So I think if we can have more Asian basketball players it will help our masculinity a lot.”

Lin made the remarks in response to a question about two Chinese players trying out in summer league this month. Lin has wished Zhou Qi of Houston and Ding Yanyuhang of Dallas good luck in a tweet.

“I’m very happy and hope they can perform well," Lin told ESPN.

“I think we just need to keep being ourselves and I think that the world will come around and appreciate us Asians.”

Lin has spoken before on the subject. In April, speaking to a group of Asian-Americans in Philadelphia, he lamented the "de-masculinization” of Asian-American men.