Jeremy Lin is scheduled to make his debut with the Raptors tonight as the teams prepare to face off against the Wizards, and the former Hawk will be stepping out onto the court with a familiar number on his back. Lin announced via Instagram last night that he will be sporting the number 17. He had asked beloved former Raptors centre Jonas Valančiūnas, who famously rocked the jersey, for his permission to use the digits.
In the heartwarming post, Lin could be seen photoshopped in iconic purple Raptors gear. Lin's caption says that he had reached out to Valančiūnas and asked for permission to don his old number which he wore during his career with the team before he was suddenly traded to Memphis. JV, being the good sport that he is, said yes and history was made.
The number holds sentimental value for Lin who wore it during a dominating year in New York as well as his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. The baller is also pretty keen on sporting number 7, but that number is currently being used by Raptors star Kyle Lowry.
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Lin is currently trapped in waiver-limbo at the moment but is expected to be cleared sometime in the late afternoon. It is no secret that the Raptors could use him right now, as point guard Fred VanVleet remains glued to the bench for the next few weeks due to a ligament injury.
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Raptors were ecstatic to see “Linsanity” join the team and it appeared as though the feeling was mutual as Lin confirmed in an earlier post: “I have so much left to give to the game. Hyped to join the Raptors.”
