Former Los Angeles Lakers player and two-time NBA champion Mark Madsen has been named the new men’s basketball coach for the Cal Bears. Madsen’s success as the head coach of Utah Valley University, where he led the team to the WAC regular season title and the NIT semifinals this season, earned him the WAC coach of the year award for 2023. Madsen had a 70-51 overall record with a 39-25 conference record during his four-year stint with UVU.

Shaquille O’Neal made a confession that would surely make Madsen emotional. Shaquille O’Neal took Madsen under his wing and showed him the ropes when Madsen joined as a rookie. O’Neal’s goal was to make Madsen feel like he was part of the team and to help him maintain his integrity and stay true to who he was as a person.

Shaquille O’Neal congratulates Mad Dog

Recently, in a video endorsement posted by the Cal Basketball official Twitter account, Shaq congratulated Madsen on his new role, saying, “I want to say congratulations to you, congratulations to your family and even though you’re a head coach Mark Madsen, you’re still my rookie. Love you, Mark. Excuse me, Mad Dog.”

The humorous video ended with Shaq barking like a dog.

Madsen’s appointment as head coach of the Cal Bears basketball team is a testament to his hard work and success as a coach. With the support of former teammate Shaq and a proven track record, Madsen is sure to make a positive impact on the Cal Bears basketball program.

One of Madsen’s former teammates on the Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal has spoken highly of him in the past. In an interview, Shaq expressed how he felt it was his duty to protect Madsen as a rookie, as he was one of the purest NBA players he had ever met. “I don’t know much about Mormons or their religion, but most rookies when they come in, they go crazy. Mark was none of that…It was my job to protect him, but I still wanted to make him cool, part of the guys,” Shaq said.

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Shaq helped Mark Madsen with his down payment

Interestingly, O’Neal has a long history with Madsen, dating back to their time together on the Lakers from 2000-2003. In a previous interview, O’Neal revealed that he had helped Madsen with his car downpayment and had even given him money to buy suits. O’Neal explained that he felt it was his duty to protect Madsen, who he described as one of the purest guys he had ever met in the NBA.

According to O’Neal, most rookies in the NBA go crazy when they first come into the league, but Madsen was different. He was a level-headed and grounded individual who didn’t let the NBA lifestyle get to his head. O’Neal saw it as his responsibility to help Madsen acclimate to the NBA culture and make him feel like he was part of the team.

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