Big C said:
Eastern Oregon Bear said:
Big C said:
Pittstop said:
Did Madsen ever play against Stojakovich's dad, Peja, in the NBA? Or, did they know each other?
When Madsen started in the NBA, Stojakovic had already been there for several years. When Madsen stopped playing Peja was still there (for a bit longer). Surely they knew each other.
From the ESPN story about Andrej committing to Cal:
"I didn't know him at all. My dad didn't know him personally. He came to the house that same week I entered the portal," Stojakovic said. "The stories and experiences he was able to share with my dad the first time meeting, we kind of bonded over each other's goals. What he wants to accomplish for his team, but his vision for myself. He truly believes in me, the staff truly believes in me. That's all someone like me could ask for."
So, apparently the Stojakovics didn't know Madsen before the recruitment started.
Stojakovic was in the NBA every year that Madsen was, so they played in games against each other probably over a dozen times. Almost impossible that they never met, especially what with Madsen being quite the outgoing fellow. Perhaps they never "hung out". Maybe I am grasping at semantics here...
Agreed. Per Andrej's quote, Peja didn't know Madsen personally. They definitely played against each other professionally and knew one another that way. But it's not surprising that they didn't know one any personally; the NBA may be a small brotherhood, but not everyone hangs out with everyone else.
Also, in an interview, Shaq mentioned how he kept Madsen from getting involved with the party scene. While I'm not saying Peja was involved in that
scene, it does seem like Madsen may have been less socially involved than other NBA players.