In China , sports fans and media claiming Lin , an American , to Taiwan ancestry . With Yao Ming in retirement , millions of basketball fans in China seek a new role model . For years , Chinese basketball has been geared to finding super tall Chinese players . Many admire Lin , a Harvard graduate , for striking a balance between education and sports .
In China , sports fans and commentators claiming Lin , an American born to Taiwan immigrants . With Yao Ming in retirement , millions of basketball fans in China seeking a new role model . For decades , Chinese basketball has been geared to finding super tall Chinese players . Many admire Lin , a Harvard graduate , for striking a balance between education and sports .