BASKETBALL/Jeremy Lin to coach Team G League at NBA rising stars mini-tournament

Taipei, Feb. 4 (CNA) After nearly six years away from the NBA, New Taipei Kings player Jeremy Lin (林書豪) is set to participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend's Rising Stars mini-tournament as the coach of Team G League.

The NBA announced Monday (U.S. time) that the Taiwanese-American player will join a trio of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers – Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin, and Mitch Richmond – as honorary coaches for four teams featuring 28 rising talents.

"See you soon in the Bay," Lin wrote in an Instagram story sharing the news.

As the All-Star Weekend will take place at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, all four honorary coaches have previously played for the team.

Alongside seven players from the G League – the NBA's minor league – 21 NBA players, including 11 second-year players and 10 rookies, will be drafted into the other three teams.

The four teams will compete in a three-game mini-tournament, with the first team to reach 40 points in each game advancing. The champion team will secure a berth in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 16.

According to the NBA's December 2024 announcement, this marks the first time the All-Star event will feature a tournament-style competition.

The Rising Stars mini-tournament is scheduled for Feb. 14.

Before heading to the Bay Area, Lin will play for the Kings in their East Asia Super League (EASL) matchup against the Meralco Bolts on Feb. 12 (Taiwan time) as the team seeks its fourth win in the league.

The Kings currently sit second in EASL Group B with a 3-2 record.