Jeremy Lin leaves CBA's Beijing Ducks

BEIJING -- Jeremy Lin announced on Tuesday that he will not play for the Beijing Ducks in the upcoming 2020-21 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) season.

"I want to tell you that I've decided not to return to the Beijing Ducks this year. It is the toughest decision that I've made in my life," Lin said in a video posted on Chinese social network Weibo.

In his 43 appearances for Beijing in the 2019-20 season, Lin averaged 22.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals, leading the team into the last four before they were eliminated by eventual champions the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

"Over the past two to three weeks, I found it pretty hard to fall asleep and woke up around four or five o'clock in the morning, thinking it over and over again," Lin admitted.

"Teammates, coaches and management in Beijing, they are quite nice to me, but I still have a dream of playing in the NBA."

"As for the fans, no matter when I get injured, traded or defeated, you always support me, which gives me great belief," he added.

Lin said when he told his family members and friends yesterday he needed to leave China in order to play in the NBA again, "I cried."

"This year is a special year. Playing with the Beijing Ducks for one year, I will never forget that I see these supporters every day, which makes me so touched. Thank you all. I love you," Lin noted.

In a statement, the Beijing Ducks said the club had kept good communication with Lin and relevant parties, and had reached an agreement to extend Lin's contract before the California-born star's decision to leave.

"Pursuing dreams is where 'Linsanity' originates, also the focal point for cooperation between the club and Lin," the Beijing club said, while expressing its understanding and respect towards Lin's decision.

"Hopefully we will renew our cooperation someday in the future. We are family as always," the club added.

"My buddy, I always believe you, support you and love you," Beijing teammate and Chinese international Zhai Xiaochuan wrote.

Many Chinese netizens also showed understanding towards Lin's decision, while also speculating on his next move.

"We respect everything that you have decided on. Wherever you are, we will always back you up. Come on!" a netizen named "Fan Fan" wrote on Weibo.