Global basketball icon takes surprise job with ESPN

After a 15-year basketball career that included many ups and downs, former global sensation Jeremy Lin retired rather quietly.

However, fans were surprised to turn on their TVs Wednesday to find "Linsanity" as a panelist on ESPN.

There, the former Knicks and Lakers guard was named a "special guest" and is expected to continue coverage with the network throughout the week.

Following the first day of his new gig, the former NBA champion posted a video on Instagram, vlogging his experience.

NBA fans all over the world reacted positively toward the news, happy to see the fan-favorite back on the big screen.

Lin spent nine seasons in the NBA before his career was cut short due to various injuries. Most notably, Lin suffered a torn patellar tendon injury with the Brooklyn Nets during his first game of the 2017-18 season and only managed to play one season afterward.

Throughout his career he played 480 games as a member of eight different teams, none more notable than the 35 he spent with the Knicks.

In Lin's first five starts with New York, he averaged 27.2 points, 8.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds, earning the "Linsanity" moniker.

For his career, he averaged 11.6 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

Now, as an analyst, Lin will continue to work around the NBA in some capacity, sharing his opinions and experience.

Whether or not this will result in Lin permanently joining the ESPN network remains to be seen.

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