Stanford assistant Mark Madsen is in serious talks to become head coach of the Los Angeles Defenders of D-League, sources tell Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2013
What’s Mark Madsen been up to?
Well, I’m glad you asked!
Madsen, a former 29th overall selection by the Lakers in 2000, was hired as an assistant coach at his alma mater Stanford. Turns out he could be making his way to a new sideline in LA.
Prior to his hiring at Stanford, he was an assistant for the Utah Flash of the D-League.
Should you happen to still be blanking on the name, here’s a fun little refresher course:
▷ He still maintains the distinction as the only man to ever successfully slow down Shaquille O’Neal.
“He used to beat me up in practice,” O’Neal told the LA Times.
▷ His 2000 draft class was home to the likes of Kenyon Martin (1), Mike Miller (5), Jamal Crawford (8) and Michael Redd (43).
▷ He averaged 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes over three seasons in LA. He closed out his career in Minnesota, where he played six seasons.
▷ As a teammate of Jason Collins at Stanford, Madsen openly supported Collins’ decision to come out.
“He said, ‘I’m actually coming out. I’m gay,’ ” Madsen told USA TODAY Sports. “I said, ‘Jason, thanks for letting me know. I got your back.’ “
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