Mark Madsen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Position | Power forward-Center |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Team | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Jersey | #35 |
| Born | January 28, 1976 Walnut Creek, California |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | San Ramon Valley |
| College | Stanford |
| Draft | 29th overall, 2000 Los Angeles Lakers |
| Pro career | 2000–present |
| Former teams | Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2003) |
Mark Ellsworth Madsen (born January 28, 1976 in Walnut Creek, California) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. He is a Mormon, or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After attending San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California, Madsen, who is Mormon, went on a two-year mission for his church in Spain where he learned Spanish. As a youth, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and credits Scouting with teaching him about leadership, character and mentoring. Passing on what he learned in scouting, he started the Mark Madsen Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball Camp to teach basketball and character to today's youth.
Madsen played NCAA basketball at Stanford, where he finished his career ranked in the school's career top 10 in blocks and rebounds. In addition, Madsen helped the Cardinals to four NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four berth in 1998. Perhaps his signature moment at Stanford was his dunk and free throw that gave Stanford a lead over Rhode Island, propelling the team into the Final Four, where it lost to eventual champion Kentucky. Madsen was a two-time All-American and a two-time All-Pac-10.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Madsen in the first round (29th pick overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft. He contributed to the Lakers' NBA championships in 2001 and 2002, and became well known for the way he danced at the victory parades for those championships. Pictures of his flamboyant dancing style have been heavily circulated on the Internet and have gained a cult-phenomenon status. At one point he claimed that people asked him about his dance style more than about basketball.
Madsen signed with the Timberwolves as a free agent before the start of the 2003-04 NBA season. So far in 2007-08 NBA season he has come back from shoulder surgery and played five games, including four starts.
His lifetime NBA averages are 2.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists and 12.3 minutes played per game.
Madsen is a fan favorite in Minnesota. He rarely plays, but receives nearly the largest ovation of the night every time he plays at the Target Center. He is beloved for his sharp intensity because he is the last player on the team that played for the 2003-04 squad that nearly made it to the NBA Finals.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Mark Madsen Info Page at NBA.com
- Mark Madsen Statistics at Basketball-Reference.com
- Mark Madsen's Official Website
- Mad Dog Blog - Mark Madsen's personal weblog
- YouTube video containing Mark Madsen's victory dance
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
