Jeremy Lin News and Updates: Rockets Guard May Join Taiwan Team and Play Against Harden at FIBA World Cup
Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin may be joining the Taiwan's national pool of player's for the upcoming 2014 FIBA World Cup. If this is the case, he may be playing against his teammate James Harden of Team USA.
Jeremy, who is of Chinese and Taiwanese descent, has been invited several times by different countries to represent their basketball teams in a range of international competitions. According to Space City Scoop, China and Taiwan (known as Chinese Taipei in FIBA) have each sent invitations for the Harvard standout to join their national team. Likewise, U.S. has also picked Lin among its USA select team last summer (2012). Notably though, Lin has not committed to any of these national pools.
However, in a recent visit in Taiwan, the point guard did not dismiss the idea of playing for Taipei in the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Spain next year. Noting how "very important" this issue was to him, the player answered the specific question in English, reported Focus Taiwan.
"I try not to think too far...I can't speak for the future...I'm not making decisions until the time is appropriate," he answered at a press conference for his eight-day visit to the country last August.
Notably, Taiwan isn't even sure of a spot at the international basketball competition. In the recently concluded FIBA Asia Championship held in Manila, Philippines, the team finished at Fourth place behind South Korea (3rd), the Philippines (2nd) and Iran (1st). According to SB Nation, the third and second placers, as well as the champions are the only ones secured of a spot at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Should Taiwan push for a world cup bid, they must dish out 500,000 euros to vie for the Olympic-qualifying competition's four wild card spots. If this happens, Jeremy may face Rockets teammate and friend James Harden who has already shown desires to join Team USA in the 2014 league.
The FIBA World Cup will be held in Spain next year.