Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of Chase Budinger:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Chase Andrew Budinger
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born May 22, 1988
  • Hometown: Encinitas, California, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters)
  • Shoe Size: US size 15
  • Number: Most notably wore 10, 6, and 35
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, California
    • Excelled in both basketball and volleyball, earning Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year honors.
    • McDonald’s All-American in basketball.
  • College: University of Arizona (2006–2009)
    • Averaged 18 points per game as a junior and earned All-Pac-10 honors.
  • NBA Draft: Selected 44th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons (rights traded to the Houston Rockets).
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Houston Rockets (2009–2012)
    2. Minnesota Timberwolves (2012–2015)
    3. Indiana Pacers (2015–2016)
    4. Brief stint with Phoenix Suns in 2016 before transitioning to volleyball professionally.
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA.
  • Kids: No public information about children.
  • Siblings:
    • Has two older siblings, one of whom, Duncan Budinger, was also a professional volleyball player.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Chase Budinger’s player archetype was that of an athletic scoring wing who blended spot-up shooting with straight-line slashing, giving teams a floor-spacing forward who could also run the lane and finish above the rim. Defensively, he was better suited to complementary wing coverage than heavy stopper duties, using his size and movement skills to hold his own on the perimeter without being a true shutdown presence. Offensively, he fit as an off-ball scorer and secondary transition threat rather than a primary creator, thriving on cuts, catch-and-shoot chances, and opportunistic drives. Physically, Budinger brought good wing size at 6-foot-7 with real leaping ability and fluid movement, and his overall play style leaned toward an energetic, mobile wing game built on shooting touch, open-floor athleticism, and versatile support scoring. (NBADraft)

Fun Facts

  • Known for his athleticism, shooting ability, and versatility as a forward.
  • Career averages: 7.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in the NBA.
  • Competed in the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
  • Transitioned to professional volleyball after his NBA career, competing on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) beach volleyball tour.
  • Successfully leveraged his background as a volleyball star in high school to pursue this new athletic career.

Sources:

Arizona Wildcats — Chase Budinger – Men’s Basketball
NBA Draft — Chase Budinger
Basketball-Reference — Chase Budinger Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more