Kim Kardashian Allegedly Once Tried Dating Knicks Legend Jeremy Lin

Back when Linsanity reached a fever pitch in New York City, Kim Kardashian allegedly tried getting in on the action.

Jeremy Lin - who became a folk hero for the New York Knicks during the 2011-2012 season, in an era dubbed Linsanity - recalled how Kardashian, 45, actively tried pursuing him romantically.

"That request did come in to the Knicks, and that is a real request," Lin, 37, said on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast on Tuesday, June 9. "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 that he wasn't able to verify the claim himself, but said, "This is what was told to me afterward."

"The request came into the Knicks and they immediately declined it without even asking us," he continued. "They were like, ‘We're not allowing our young second-year player to go down this route right now.'"

Us Weekly has reached out to Kardashian for comment.

Rumors flew about a potential connection between Lin and Kardashian at the time, so much so that Lin was asked about them during an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

"You don't think you're the Kim Kardashian type?" Nichols, 52, asked him.

Lin laughed and said, "No, I don't think I'm that type."

Podcast host Torre, 40, recalled just how chaotic Lin's life was during that era, when he effectively became one of the biggest stars in the NBA seemingly overnight.

"They wouldn't let me interview you," he said. "That's how protective the Knicks were of you at the time."

Lin replied, "I didn't even know that."

Torre asked Lin to recall the most "scary" part of dealing with Linsanity hysteria, which happened after he moved off his brother's couch and 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. "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?'"

Copyright 2026 Us Weekly. All rights reserved

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 7:54 AM.