Mason Madsen learned he was cut from the NBA G League just minutes after a win, a moment that instantly turned celebration into shock.
The message from his coach asked him to return to the facility, and by the time he arrived, his stint with the Valley Suns was over.
“‘Mason, can you stop by the facility please?'” he told PEOPLE. “That was the longest five-minute walk of my life.”
Raised by a father who coached high school basketball, the game was always present. Still, it was not until his family moved to Guangzhou, China, when he was in fifth grade that his relationship with the sport truly intensified.
While classmates slept during the school’s mandatory midday nap, Madsen, his siblings, and their father practiced. Those quiet sessions became routine. Over time, that discipline turned into identity.
His path through college basketball reflected that same persistence. Madsen began at the University of Cincinnati, transferred to Boston College, and later moved to the University of Utah so he could play his graduate year alongside his twin brother.
Each stop demanded adjustment, patience, and belief. By 24, he reached a milestone he once viewed as unimaginable: a spot in the NBA G League.
“I hadn’t played at that level before,” he said. “They put us up in an apartment, meals provided by an in-house chef… they really prioritized our well-being.”
That support, however, did not shield him from the realities of professional basketball. Minutes were scarce. Contracts were fragile. Performance alone was not always enough.
“At the end of the day, the club needs return on their investment, and it’s just part of the business,” he explained.
Processing the cut and finding clarity
The pressure peaked around a FIBA break. The team was struggling, roster tension grew, and Madsen knew cuts were coming. As a rookie with limited minutes, he understood how narrow his margin was.
“I know what I can do, and I’m looking forward to finding a place where I can show not just who I am but also what kind of player I can be,” Madsen noted.
Support arrived quickly. Messages from former teammates, coaches, and fans poured in, reminding him that his journey was bigger than one roster decision.
“The support I got during this time was overwhelming,” he contined. “Past teammates, coaches, and fans all reached out. One message from Mitch, my trainer and one of my closest friends, said, ‘Gooood. The story gets better. Happening as it’s supposed to!’ That message fired me up and made me realize when my career is all said and done, I’ll look back and appreciate this moment.”
The morning after being released, perspective set in.
“It’s not the end of the world,” Madsen says. “The morning after I got cut, I was still healthy, still ate breakfast, still loved by my family. It puts everything in perspective.”
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