Jeremy Lin Wins Historic TPBL Player of the Month Award
New Taipei Kings guard Jeremy Lin (林書豪) has made history by becoming the first domestic player to win the coveted Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) Player of the Month award. The 36-year-old basketball star showcased stellar performance during the months of October and November, averaging 22 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists across five games.
This remarkable achievement has solidified Lin’s role as a cornerstone of the Kings, propelling them to second place in the league standings with a 4-2 record as of Friday, according to a statement from the TPBL. Lin’s contributions have been instrumental in the Kings’ recovery from a challenging start to the season, during which injuries and a shortage of players often hindered their lineup.
Jeremy Lin’s Stellar Performance: Stats and Achievements
Jeremy Lin’s performance in the early part of the season has been nothing short of exceptional. He helped lead his team through adversity, all while consistently putting up impressive numbers. Lin received overwhelming support from both the media and fans, securing 19 out of 22 first-place votes from media outlets and 1,545 first-place votes from fans. With a weighted support rate of 49.6 percent, Lin comfortably edged out Taipei Taishin Mars guard Ting Sheng-ju (丁聖儒), who had previously made TPBL history by recording the first-ever triple-double in the league.
| Player | Team | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game | Weighted Support Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Lin | New Taipei Kings | 22 | 5.4 | 6.6 | 49.6% |
| Ting Sheng-ju | Taipei Taishin Mars | 15.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | — |
| Kaleb Wesson | Kaohsiung Aquas | 21.4 | 12.2 | 4.2 | 38.1% |
Lin’s strong all-around play, combined with his leadership, made him the fan favorite and the clear choice for the award. His contributions were key to the Kings’ ability to stay competitive, despite the team’s injury woes and limited roster availability during the opening months of the season.
Kaleb Wesson Wins Import of the Month
In addition to the Player of the Month honors, Kaohsiung Aquas’ standout player, Kaleb Wesson, claimed the title of Import of the Month. Wesson, 25, posted impressive averages of 21.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2 steals, and 1.6 blocks over five games. His stellar performance included shooting 44.8% from beyond the arc, contributing an average of 2.6 three-pointers per game. Wesson’s strong performance helped him secure a 38.1 percent weighted support rate, edging out Formosa Dreamers’ Aric Holman (31.6 percent) and Lin’s teammate Jason Washburn (21 percent).
Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers to Appoint New Head Coach
In a significant development for the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers, the team has announced that they will be appointing a new head coach following the departure of Milan Mitrovic. This marks the Lioneers’ third coaching change in less than a year. Assistant coach Sheng Hsin-han (沈欣漢) will take on the role of interim head coach for the time being.
The decision to part ways with Mitrovic was prompted by the Lioneers’ disappointing performance, with the team holding a 2-5 record, which fell short of expectations following offseason roster upgrades. Despite the team’s struggles, Lioneers’ general manager Chang Shu-jen (張樹人) praised Mitrovic for his leadership and his efforts to boost the team’s morale through difficult times.
Chang also confirmed that the Lioneers have already secured Mitrovic’s replacement, a foreign coach who is expected to arrive in Taiwan by mid-December. The new head coach is set to debut on December 21 during the Lioneers’ away game against the New Taipei CTBC DEA.
Timeline of Key Events
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Lin’s Player of the Month Win | November 2024 | First domestic player in TPBL history to win the award. |
| Kaleb Wesson Named Import of the Month | November 2024 | Averaged 21.4 points and 12.2 rebounds over five games. |
| Mitrovic’s Departure | December 2024 | Lioneers part ways with head coach Milan Mitrovic due to poor performance. |
| New Head Coach Announcement | December 2024 | New head coach for the Lioneers expected to debut on December 21. |
FAQs:
Q: What is the TPBL Player of the Month award?
A: The TPBL Player of the Month award recognizes the most outstanding player in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League for a given month, based on performance, fan and media votes.
Q: What were Jeremy Lin’s stats during his Player of the Month win?
A: Jeremy Lin averaged 22 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists over five games during October and November, leading his team to a 4-2 record.
Q: Why did the Lioneers part ways with coach Milan Mitrovic?
A: The Lioneers decided to part ways with Mitrovic after a 2-5 record that did not meet expectations despite significant offseason upgrades to the team’s roster.
Q: When will the new head coach for the Lioneers debut?
A: The new head coach is expected to debut on December 21 during the Lioneers’ away game against the New Taipei CTBC DEA.
Q: Who won the Import of the Month award in November?
A: Kaleb Wesson of the Kaohsiung Aquas won the Import of the Month award, averaging 21.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over five games.
Conclusion: A New Era for the Lioneers and TPBL Highlights
While Jeremy Lin’s historic win marks a significant achievement for Taiwanese basketball, the Lioneers face an important transition as they prepare to welcome their third head coach in under a year. With changes both on and off the court, fans can expect an exciting finish to the season as the TPBL continues to showcase some of the best basketball talents in the region.
