The Complete History of Asian Players in the NBA

There's more than just Jeremy Lin and Yao.

jeremy lin
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Image via Getty/Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE

jeremy lin

Let's be honest: Asians aren't thought of for their athletic prowress. They're smart and they sometimes play baseball. That's how the stereotype goes anyway. Yet, when it comes to the sport of basketball—a sport that's been dominated by African-American athletes—Asians have held their own. Starting with the OG Wataru Misaka and going up to the NBA's latest Asian sensation, Jeremy Lin, in chronological order, we took a look at every Asian (including Asian-Americans) who have ever played an NBA minute. Aside from the standard trials and tribulations that come with pursuing a professional basketball career, these players faced culture shock and racial discrimination to chase their NBA dreams—and, shocker, it didn't work out for all of them. There's more to the NBA's Asian community than just Yao Ming and Lin. See for yourself in the Complete History of Asian Players in the NBA.

Wataru Misaka

wataru misaka

Raymond Townsend

raymond townsend

Rex Walters

rex walters

Mengke Bateer

Mengke Bateer

Wang Zhizhi

wang zhizhi

Yao Ming

yao ming

Yuta Tabuse

yuta tabuse

Ha Seung-Jin

ha sueng jin

Yi Jianlian

yi jianlian

Sun Yue

sun yue

Jeremy Lin

jeremy lin

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