Simu Liu, Jeremy Lin headline charity basketball game in Toronto

Simu Liu will play in a star-studded charity basketball game today along with some celebrity friends.

The Mississauga-raised actor is hosting the CCYAA Celebrity Classic at the University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre, alongside NBA star Jeremy Lin.

“We’ve got a really, really exciting roster and a really exciting weekend planned,” Liu said.

The friendly competition, launched by Liu in 2019, raises money for the Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association (CCYAA ) and the Jeremy Lin Foundation.

More than 20 celebrities from across the North American Asian diaspora will participate, including Toronto video creators CantoMando and Liu’s fellow Mississauga actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

For Liu, basketball is more than a game — it also provides community and connection.

Growing up as a working class kid from an immigrant family, Liu said he found the sport to be inclusive and accessible.

“I think it’s a very similar story for millions of immigrant families and I think that’s why basketball is so prominent among specifically the Asian-American and Asian-Canadian communities,” Liu said.

“It’s easy to get into, it’s great to root for because you have stars that come from very humble beginnings like many of us did.”

One of those stars is Jeremy Lin, whose unexpected winning streak with the New York Knicks in 2012 generated an enthusiastic fan response dubbed “Linsanity.”

Liu and Lin became friends during the latter’s playoff run with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. That same year, Liu launched the celebrity classic in support of Lin’s foundation and the CCYAA.

Liu had previously participated in a similar charity basketball game in California, where he found himself surrounded by like-minded people at the top of their fields.

The actor, who has been outspoken about inclusion and the representation of Asians in entertainment, said he was inspired to be among Asian creatives and others who defied cultural stereotypes.

“I wanted that kind of same energy and excitement coming out of our city,” he said.

This year’s classic is preceded by a youth event with dance performances and more, plus an Asian food festival featuring dishes from Toronto chefs.

Liu and Lin are playing on the same team, something Liu seems thankful for.

“I refuse to play against him. I think that would just be too much for my little brain to handle,” he joked.

So what can fans expect on the court this year?

“With the exception of Jeremy Lin, obviously, you’re not going to get professional level basketball,” Liu said.

“What you’re going to get is just a really fun time. And hopefully, exposure to a lot of people who are really stepping into their light and being unapologetic about who they are and the message that they have to give to the world.”

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