Lance Stephenson, Jeremy Lin, Other Former NBA Players Returning to China to Resume Basketball Season

By Justin Benjamin
Updated: March 21, 2020

Basketball isn’t on pause everywhere.

Multiple former NBA players, including Los Angeles Lakers alumni Lance Stephenson and Jeremy Lin, are returning to China to resume the CBA season.

Lin, who just landed in Beijing, shared an emotional message about the much-needed return to basketball.

View this post on Instagram

Safely landed back in Beijing to finish out the CBA season! Excited to hoop again, but leaving the bay worried and with a heavy heart for the sick, the jobless and all those fighting fear, anxiety and stress over the unknown future. Shoutout to our medical staff in the 50 states for working tirelessly and everyone keep doing your part in slowing the virus! It's been an awesome 2 months camped out in the gym…basketball has never been more meaningful. The world needs basketball now more than ever. I still remember when I went through my toughest moments and worst injuries, you guys were there for me. I hope to return the favor. As all you beloved fans told me the day after my knee injury, keep fighting bc we're #NeverDone ❤️ #14dayquarantine #airportcouchesarenttoobad

A post shared by Jeremy Lin 林書豪 (@jlin7) on Mar 19, 2020 at 7:34am PDT

The CBA, which suspended play in late January due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, is expected to restart in mid-April.

Lin, 31, is having a marvelous campaign for the Beijing Ducks. He is putting up 24.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game this season.

Stephenson, meanwhile, has had his eyes on an NBA comeback. However, the 29-year-old, who played for the Lakers last season, hasn’t been able to land a contract.

The former NBA guards, along with all foreign players returning to China, will have to spend two weeks in quarantine.

The NBA is currently on a 30-day hiatus as a result of the contagious virus, though the suspension is expected to be extended.