"Timberwolves forward Anthony Tolliver might be one of the few people who had heard of New York guard Jeremy Lin before Lin became an overnight NBA sensation.

Tolliver met Lin before the 2010-11 season when Lin agreed to participate in Active Faith, a company Tolliver helped start to promote religious awareness among pro athletes.

"He's a humble guy and pretty well-grounded," Tolliver said of Lin before the Wolves' 100-98 loss to the Knicks on Saturday night at Target Center. "He's just like me when I was in and out of the NBA, just wanting a chance. He's taking advantage of it and doing really well."

Tolliver and Lin had several stretches in the Development League before getting solid opportunities in the NBA.

Tolliver said Golden State guard Stephen Curry, a participant in the company, introduced Active Faith to Lin when Lin was with Golden State last season. Participating NBA players wear small wristbands during games that read, "Active Faith. In Jesus' Name I Play."

Lin wore an orange wristband during Saturday's game. Tolliver and Wolves teammates Derrick Williams and Luke Ridnour wear blue wristbands for each game.

Tolliver had a funny response when he was asked about the enormous hype surrounding Lin, the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. Lin is averaging 26.8 points and 8.0 assists in his past five games. "