Basketball officials are investigating a complaint by the star, Jeremy Lin, according to which he was called a “coronavirus” as an anti-Asian insult on the field.
Lin, who currently plays for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League, described the attack in a Facebook post on Thursday condemning the ongoing racism against the Asian American community.
“Being a 9-year NBA veteran doesn’t protect me from being called a ‘coronavirus’ on the field,” he wrote.
Verbal and physical attacks on Asian Americans have increased since Donald Trump started the scapegoat for China for COVID-19, repeatedly and inaccurately calling it the “China virus” and using the racist term “kung flu.”
Lin last year criticized Trump’s “anti-Chinese message” for giving “more hatred to Asians.”
Lin did not provide details in the post about where the call took place. He played ball in Orlando, Florida, for his team, ESPN noted.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he would like to see the NBA investigate Lin’s complaint.
Kerr called the Facebook post “really strong. I applaud Jeremy for his words and remind me of my feelings about racism against the Asian American community, “he added.
“It is so ridiculous and obviously generated by many people, including our former president, because it refers to the coronavirus originating in China. It’s just shocking, “said Kerr.
Lin broke down barriers when he joined the Golden State Warriors in the 2010-11 season as the first US-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, according to ESPN.
According to a United Nations investigation last August, more than 1,800 racist incidents against Asian Americans were reported in the United States in a single eight-week period, from March 2020 to May 2020.
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