Before Friday night's big game between the L.A. Lakers and the New York Knicks, Kobe Bryant told reporters he didn't know the Knicks hot new point guard Jeremy Lin. But that changed sometime between the 38 points Lin scored for his teammates and their 92-85 victory over the Lakers. 

So who is the man showing up Kobe on the court? Here is five things you may want to know about Lin, the 23-year-old breakout NBA star. 

1. He's Making History 
Lin, whose parents emigrated from Taiwan to the U.S. in the '70s, is the first American player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the NBA. Also notable: He's the first Harvard alum to play in the league since Ed Smith's 11-game season for the Knicks in 1953 to 1954, reports Sports Illustrated. 

2. Lin was a student/athlete and not a athlete/student 
Before he took the NBA by storm – also known as Linsanity – the California native, who grew up in Palo Alto, ruled the Ivy League. He attended Harvard University, where he played basketball without the perk of an athletic scholarship.

"My G.P.A. was not a 4.2," Lin, who studied economics, confessed to the San Francisco Chronicle last summer. "That's been the rumor. It's not even possible. My friends have been absolutely killing me about that." But he did hit the books apparently: He graduated with a 3.1, he said. 

3. He Wants to Be a Pastor 
Tim Tebow's not the only athlete who brings his love of God to the game. "I know there is a lot of temptation out there, and I have heard about the NBA lifestyle," the non-denominational Christian told Sports Illustrated pre-fame in 2010. "I am not saying I am better than anybody else, but I am going to try to live the way I have always lived and try not to change just because I am in the NBA." His plans after playing ball? Lin says he hopes to become a pastor and lead non-profit organizations either in the U.S. or abroad. 

4. Right now Lin is Homeless! 
Although Lin has yet to reveal if he's on the market for a girlfriend, one thing is for sure: He's looking for a place to call his own. FOX Sports reports that Lin sleeps on the couch of his brother, who is a New York University dental student living on Manhattan's Lower East Side. 

5. He Has Kobe's Approval 

Now that he knows Lin is a force to be reckoned with, Bryant had nothing but kind words for the man who outplayed him on the court. "Players don't usually come out of nowhere," Bryant, who scored 34 points for his team, said after Friday's game. "If you go back and take a look, his skill level was probably there from the beginning but no one ever noticed."

 10 Breakout Sports Stars of 2012

He could go all the way! For every sports prodigy or phenomenon, many athletes trend to go under the radar and sneak through the backdoor into superstardom. Kaboom! Magazine has compiled a list of 10 athletes that you may not know now, but will in 2012. So grab a front row seat and look at who will be new household names in 2012.

10. Vontaze Burfict, 2012 NFL Draft Prospect: Andrew Luck isn’t the only can’t miss athlete in the 2012 NFL draft class. In 2011, the Arizona State linebacker had 130 tackles in his junior season and is considered by Mel Kiper Jr. to be the 1^st defensive player taken in 2012 NFL draft. Many experts have compared the California native to current Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis. His monster tackles have earned him youtube fame and soon Burfict monster hits will earn him millions of dollars in the NFL.

9. Christina McHale, U.S. Tennis Player:  The 19 year-old New Jersey native, is currently ranked 43^rd in the world. McHale is the second-highest ranked American female tennis player only behind Serena Williams and has already beaten the current No. 1 ranked WTA player Caroline Wozniacki. In 2011, she advanced to the second round of Wimbledon and the third round of the U.S. Open. It only a matter of time until Christina is in the finals at a Wimbledon and putting U.S. tennis players back on the map.

8. Lolo Jones, U.S. 100 Meter Hurdler: Everyone loves a comeback and no one will have a better comeback in 2012 than Lolo Jones. In 2008, Jones was a favorite to medal in the 2008 Olympic games, but she accidently tripped and fell during the 100 meter hurdle finals causing her to place 7th. Jones has waited four long years to be able to get that elusive Olympic medal. Lolo is favored again to place in the 100 meter hurdles in London and doesn’t plan to disappoint at these Olympics.

7. Jesus Montero, New York Yankees: The 6'3" 235-pound catcher put up impressive stats (.328/.406/.590 in 69 plate appearances) in 2011. He is projected to hit 25 to 30 home runs in 2012 and is already a front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year. He has all the makings of an offensive stud, and being in a lineup featuring A-Rod and Jeter for a full year will certainly pay dividends for the young catcher.

6. Austin Rivers, Duke Blue Devils: In 2011, Rivers won a 2^nd state title and committed to Duke as their No. 1 recruit. The son of Boston Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers, has been a youtube sensation all year long highlighted by 45 point game that he said he was gonna have before even stepping on the court. Many expect the former McDonalds All-American to enter the 2012 NBA Draft, but first Austin wants to win a national championship. Rivers has already shown the swagger and killer instinct need to win a national championship in March and is expected to lead Duke in scoring, earning him all-american consideration in 2012.   

5. Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants: Belt hit nine home runs in 60 games for the Giants in 2011. He was sent back down by the Giants to AAA to help build his confidence for the major leagues. Brandon took AAA by storm hitting .444 and 16 home runs for two minor league teams. In 2012, Belt is expected to be the opening day starter at 1^st base for the Giants and add offensive firepower to an already stellar pitching staff.

4. Brek Shea, U.S. Men’s Soccer Player: In 2010, Shea made his debut on the U.S. Men’s soccer team. In 2011, the 21 year-old Shea became a star in MLS earning Team MVP honors for FC Dallas scoring 11 goals. Many are expecting Brek to be a major contributor for the U.S. Men’s team in London for the 2012 Olympics. With rock star looks and all-star game, Brek Shea will more than likely take Landon Donovan spot as the face of U.S. soccer.

3. Robert Woods, USC Trojans: Robert Woods established himself as the most elusive player in college football in 2011. Woods caught 111 balls and scored 15 touchdowns for USC this season making him a 1^st team all-american selection. In 2012, Woods will be entering his junior season as the best offensive weapon in the country and a Heisman candidate. USC has waited a long time for the 2^nd coming of Reggie Bush, expect Robert Woods to fill that void and have the Trojans back into the BCS National Title picture in 2012.

2. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays: Moore started Tampa Bay’s AL division series opener against Texas, throwing seven shutout innings to become the youngest pitcher to start and win a team’s first game of the postseason. During the offseason, Moore agreed to a deal that guarantees him $14 million over five years. The Rays are counting on Moore to be part of a talented pitching rotation that will enable them to remain competitive with the big-spending New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

1. Alex Morgan, U.S. Women’s Soccer Team: The U.S. Women’s soccer team youngest member came off the bench and help the U.S. to a 2^nd place finish in the 2011 Women’s World Cup. Morgan scored her first goal in World Cup final against France, even though it was a loss effort; Morgan proved to the world that she is someone to watch out for in years to come. Morgan will play a big role in the team’s chances at gold at the 2012 London games. Alex Morgan will be the brightest star of the 2012 London Olympics and will become the new face of U.S. Women’s Soccer.