Former New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin confirmed that Kim Kardashian actively pursued a romantic date with him during the peak of the Linsanity phenomenon.
The revelation came during an episode of the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast aired on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Lin, now 37, stated that the request was made during the 2011-2012 NBA season when he became an international sensation while playing for New York.
"That request did come in to the Knicks, and that is a real request," Lin said.
The reality television star was reportedly looking for a New York athlete to feature on her show at the time.
"I think basically, she at that time was filming her show — I don’t know if it’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians or whatever show was happening back then — but I know that she was looking for a New York athlete to be on this show, essentially," Lin explained.
Lin clarified that he learned about the outreach second-hand rather than directly.
"This is what was told to me afterward," he said.
The Knicks organization immediately blocked the reality star's pursuit to protect their rising player.
"The request came into the Knicks and they immediately declined it without even asking us," Lin continued.
Team management explicitly stated their desire to keep the young athlete focused on basketball rather than high-profile entertainment ventures.
"They were like, ‘We’re not allowing our young second-year player to go down this route right now,’" Lin said.
The rumors surrounding the pairing led to a direct media inquiry during a past television interview conducted by sports journalist Rachel Nichols.
"You don’t think you’re the Kim Kardashian type?" Nichols, 52, asked.
Lin dismissed the idea during the broadcast.
"No, I don’t think I’m that type," Lin laughed.
Podcast host Pablo Torre, 40, noted how tightly controlled Lin's schedule and access were during that period.
"They wouldn’t let me interview you," Torre said.
"That’s how protective the Knicks were of you at the time," Torre added.
Lin admitted he was unaware of the extensive media restrictions imposed by the team.
"I didn’t even know that," Lin replied.
Torre then questioned Lin about the most overwhelming aspects of his sudden rise to fame after moving into a Manhattan penthouse.
"The paparazzi and the fans and everything were so crazy, I couldn’t really leave unless it was midnight or something," Lin said.
Lin described the constant surveillance he faced whenever he attempted to exit his high-rise apartment building.
"I’d sneak out, go out the back entrance. But there was a stretch when I couldn’t leave without being followed.
I was on, I don’t know, the 35th floor or something, and I would always look out the window and just see which cars were down there by the lobby, [asking myself], ‘Can I leave right now or will I be followed?’"
Lin said.
Us Weekly reached out to representatives for Kardashian, 45, regarding the statements made on the podcast.
