G‑League rookie Mason Madsen cut from Valley Suns, shares experience online

According to People, 24-year-old Mason Madsen was cut from the NBA G-League’s Valley Suns after receiving a text from his coach — “Mason, can you stop by the facility please?” — moments after a big home win.

Madsen, who grew up with a father who coached high school basketball and began taking the game seriously after a move to Guangzhou, China, played at Cincinnati, Boston College and the University of Utah before reaching the G-League. He described the professional environment — apartments and meals provided by an in-house chef — but said he often felt he was “fighting an uphill battle” with his contract and that clubs need a return on their investment. The team had started the season with losses, a FIBA break passed and roster cuts followed; as a rookie with limited minutes, Madsen’s spot was precarious.

He documented the moment on TikTok and the video went viral, drawing more than 270,000 views; he had been vlogging his journey for years and launched a Road to Pro series in May 2025 that ran for 102 days. Back home in Eau Claire, Wis., Madsen is training while his agent seeks new opportunities in the G-League or overseas, and he says he’s grateful to the Valley Suns and moving forward with confidence despite the emotional toll and self-doubt the cut caused.

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Sports, Mason Madsen, Valley Suns, Nba G-league, Tiktok, Eau Claire