The comparisons to Jeremy Lin are inevitable. But their stories are different.
Both were high school phenoms on the basketball court. Both are Chinese, but that’s where their stories depart.
Chris Tang was born and raised in China. Jeremy Lin is American born and grew up just south of San Francisco in Palo Alto.
This story is about Chris Tang.
According to the Grantland Channel, his interest in the round ball game started after catching an NBA game on television in China.
“Before Yao Ming played basketball, I didn’t know what basketball is. Then when I was younger I see a basketball game on TV, I heard a Chinese player play for the Houston Rocket team. He’s tall. I started watching” said Tang.
His interest grew and so did his ability to play.
Chris Tang’s parents decided to send him to America at age 12 to get a good education and play basketball.
After having back to back 40 point games for Hampton Road Academy, the basketball world took notice of Tang. Before long, he would transfer to a basketball factory known as Oak Hill Academy in Wilson, Virginia. The school has produced many basketball stand outs.
His teammates admitted they didn’t think Tang had “game” when he first joined the team. But they think differently now. Oak Hill Academy has so many outstanding basketball players, it has two varsity teams. Tang plays on the top tiered team, but doesn’t get many minutes.
But when he does play, his coach has confidence in him. He says Tang can compete with high level players.
After Linsanity took off last February, the inevitable comparisons between Tang and Lin emerged.
But Tang is determined to carve his own path.
“I heard in almost every basketball game, they call me Jeremy Lin all the time. I like him, but he’s Jeremy Lin and I’m Chris Tang, you know.”
You can watch Tang’s story on the Grantland Channel.
