Linsanity at 1600: Count President Obama among Jeremy Lin’s fans

To no surprise, among the throng of basketball fans enamored by the Knicks’ Jeremy Lin is the one in the White House.

President Obama was talking about the NBA’s newest sensation on Marine One Wednesday morning, his spokesman Jay Carney confirmed, after the Knicks point guard led his team to another victory Tuesday night on a last-second three-pointer.

Carney said the president, like the rest of Americans and much of the Chinese, is taken by the story.

“It’s just a great story and the president was saying as much this morning. Obviously terrific for the New York Knicks but it’s the kind of sports story that transcends the sport itself,” Carney told reporters traveling with the president to Wisconsin.

Obama had to catch the game highlights. He took the first lady out to dinner last night for Valentine’s Day.

“Yes, he’s very impressed and fully up to speed,” Carney said. “I know he’s watched Lin play already and he’s seen the highlights from last night’s game.”

Michael A. Memoli contributed to this report from Washington.