Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty; Mason Madsen
NEED TO KNOW
Basketball has been central to Mason Madsen's life for as long as he can remember
Eventually, he went on to play college basketball and later joined the NBA's G-League
Madsen was later cut from the G-League, and he turned to TikTok to share his experience
After a big home win for his NBA G-League team, the Valley Suns, 24-year-oldMason Madsenreceived a text that made his heart sank.
"'Mason, can you stop by the facility please?'" he tells PEOPLE exclusively of the text he received from his coach. "That was the longest five-minute walk of my life." Moments later, he learned he had been cut from his team.
Basketball has been central to Madsen's life for as long as he can remember. Growing up with a father who coached high school basketball, the sport was always part of family life. But it wasn't until fifth grade, when his family moved to Guangzhou, China, that Madsen began taking the game seriously.
During his school's midday nap, Madsen, his siblings and their dad would use the time to practice basketball. From those early hours on the court, his passion for the game only grew.
He and his twin brother dedicated themselves fully, rising early and practicing late into the night. Their hard work paid off in high school, when both received their first Division 1 offers.
"I fell in love with the chase of being the best version of myself early on in this process, which has kept me going," Madsen says. "I didn't necessarily know I would end up being a professional basketball player because I had never been exposed to that in any way — nobody where I'm from had played professionally, so it was a completely foreign idea."
Mason Madsen
After high school, Madsen's journey continued through college basketball. He played at the University of Cincinnati, then transferred to Boston College and finally to the University of Utah to play alongside his twin brother during his graduate year.
By 24, he had reached a lifelong dream: joining the G-League, the NBA's minor league division. The professional environment was unlike anything he had experienced before.
"I hadn't played at that level before," he recalls. "They put us up in an apartment, meals provided by an in-house chef… they really prioritized our well-being."
Even with these perks, Madsen quickly realized professional basketball had its challenges. He often felt like he was "fighting an uphill battle" with his contract and discovered that success depends on more than just skill.
"At the end of the day, the club needs return on their investment, and it's just part of the business," he explains.
Yet the competitive reality hit hardest during a tense FIBA break. The team had started the season on a losing streak, and tensions were high. After the break, roster cuts were inevitable, and as a rookie with limited minutes, Madsen knew his position was precarious.
Since being cut, he says the emotional toll is real. He admits there were "definitely a few tears shed" and moments of self-doubt. Still, he remains hopeful.
"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," he says.
"The support I got during this time was overwhelming," he adds. "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."
Mason Madsen
Even before making it to the G-League, Madsen had been documenting his basketball journey online. It began about two years ago at Boston College, during a team trip to Italy and Spain. What started as a way to capture the adventure quickly became something bigger: he began vlogging every game day and never stopped.
When he transferred to the University of Utah to play alongside his twin brother for his graduate year, he continued documenting the season, capturing both triumphs and setbacks. In May 2025, he launched a short-form series called Road to Pro,posting mini vlogs for 102 days straight leading up to his G-League contract.
"I've always been under the mindset that it's best to 'Keep It Real,' " Madsen explains. "Part of that is showing the moments of adversity you don't always see. It humanizes the whole experience and shows the reality of playing high-level basketball. Athletes aren't just entertainment; we live similar lives with highs and lows."
That commitment to authenticity became especially clear after his video about being cut from the G-League went viral, reaching over 270,000 views.
Madsen says he wasn't surprised by the reaction.
"People appreciate authenticity and vulnerability," he says. "This moment epitomizes that. The response was overwhelmingly supportive, which did surprise me a little. It's easy to get stuck on a couple negative comments, but when there's a sea of support, you just have to step back and see the whole picture."
The experience reshaped his perspective on basketball, his career and life itself. "It's not the end of the world. The morning after I got cut, I was still healthy, still ate breakfast, still loved by my family. It puts everything in perspective."
Mason Madsen
Now, back home in Eau Claire, Wis., Madsen is training hard and preparing for whatever comes next.
He says his agent is working to secure a new opportunity, whether in the G-League or overseas; meanwhile, Madsen is doing everything he can to stay ready mentally and physically.
"My advice to athletes facing setbacks is not to let a single moment define you," he says. "Lean on your values and training. It's easy to get consumed by one moment, but I try to stay level and consistent no matter what."
"I remind myself to focus on the positive," he continues. "I have my family, my girlfriend and friends — I can't take any of that for granted. Things will work themselves out in due time, and there's no point stressing over what you can't control."
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The experience also reinforced Madsen's belief in the power of social media.
"There's a stigma around posting as an athlete, and some people have said if I spent more time in the gym, maybe I wouldn't have gotten cut. But my life revolves around basketball," he continues. "I've spent the last 13 years — over 10,000 hours — practicing, studying film and learning the game. Sharing my journey online lets me inspire people in ways I never imagined."
Through it all, gratitude remains at the heart of his mindset. "I want to thank the Valley Suns and everyone in the organization for taking a chance on me. It didn't go exactly as I envisioned, but I'll look back on this time with immense gratitude — and I'm moving forward with confidence, ready for whatever comes next."
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