EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The Los Angeles D-Fenders have named Mark Madsen, a member of the 2001 and 2002 Lakers championship teams, as their new coach.
Madsen, a 6-foot-9 power forward, spent nine years in the NBA, three with the Lakers and six with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He retired in 2009 and has since served as an assistant with the D-League’s Utah Flash (now relocated to Delaware) and at his alma mater, Stanford.
“We are very pleased to announce Mark Madsen as the newest head coach
of the D-Fenders,” President/CEO
Joey Buss said in a release. “Mark understands the emphasis we place
on developing intelligent and skilled players who can contribute
important minutes with the Lakers and in the NBA. We are confident that
Mark’s experience in the NBA will help us reach our goals, further
establishing the D-Fenders as a franchise known for producing top NBA
talent while competing at a championship level.”
Averaging 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per year over the course of his career, Madsen may be best remembered not for his on-court resume, but for his post-championship dancing, captured in this video:
Madsen replaces Reggie Theus, who left the D-Fenders to coach Cal State Northridge. Theus coached the D-Fenders to a 21-29 record last season.
Madsen will be introduced during a news conference on Tuesday.
“Mark has exhibited all the qualities necessary to excel as a head
coach, and we are certain he will help the D-Fenders reach new heights
on the basketball court,” General Manager Glenn Carraro said in a release. “He has proven to be the
ultimate team player, winning multiple titles with the Lakers early in
his career after great success as a leader in college. We are thrilled
to have him on the sidelines for the D-Fenders and believe his basketball mind will help our players develop into meaningful contributors for the Lakers and the NBA.”
