Mark Madsen is the new D-Fenders coach

Mark Madsen may be returning to the Lakers family, at least through the team’s D-League affiliate.

(update at 11:43 a.m.: It’s official, Madsen is the new coach.

“We are very pleased to announce Mark Madsen as the newest head coach of the D-Fenders,” D-Fenders President/CEO Joey Buss said. “Mark understands the emphasis we place on developing intelligent and skilled players who can contribute important minutes with the Lakers and in the NBA. We are confident that Mark’s experience in the NBA will help us reach our goals, further establishing the D-Fenders as a franchise known for producing top NBA talent while competing at a championship level.”)

Madsen won rings with the Lakers in 2001 and 2002 as a reserve power forward. He recently served as an assistant coach at Stanford.

Former D-Fenders Coach Reggie Theus recently left to take the position of head coach at Cal State Northridge.

Madsen was drafted by the Lakers with the 29th pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. He played with the Lakers until 2003, starting 22 games for the team in his final season.

The Timberwolves signed then-free-agent Madsen to join Kevin Garnett in Minnesota. After six seasons with the Wolves, Madsen was traded to the Clippers in July 2009 -- but was waived a month later, followed by his retirement as a player.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.