Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Transition basketball always seemed to bring out the best in Chase Budinger, whose long strides, timely cuts, and above-the-rim finishing regularly turned ordinary fast breaks into easy points. He complemented that athleticism with reliable spot-up shooting and smart movement away from the ball, giving teammates a wing who could stretch the floor without standing still.

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)

Scouting Report

Chase Budinger’s athleticism often grabbed the attention first, but I always thought his best offensive quality was how naturally he played off somebody else’s advantage. He had a good feel for drifting into open passing lanes, relocating as drives developed and making sharp baseline cuts the moment his defender turned to help, which meant he was regularly available for easy finishes without needing the offence built around him. His jump shot was compact enough to punish late closeouts, and once defenders started charging at him he could attack in a straight line with long, fluid strides, finishing above the rim when the lane stayed open. The trade-off was that his handle wasn’t tight enough to consistently create against organised half-court defences, and if his initial driving lane disappeared, possessions usually flowed back to another creator rather than through him. Defensively, Budinger covered ground well and had enough mobility to chase shooters through multiple actions or switch onto different wings for stretches, but he was more effective defending within a connected team scheme than trying to shut down elite isolation scorers. Stronger forwards could move him off his spot, while quicker guards occasionally forced him into recovery situations after the first step. What stands out is that he rarely overcomplicated possessions. He screened when needed, filled transition lanes with purpose and generally understood when to keep the ball moving instead of interrupting the rhythm of the offence. That’s why his ideal role was as a complementary wing next to primary playmakers who collapsed the defence and bigs who created clean screening angles, allowing his cutting, catch-and-shoot ability and secondary drives to become genuine weapons. To me, there were similarities to Trevor Ariza in the way he thrived off movement and spacing rather than constant on-ball creation, while his offensive profile also carried shades of Mike Dunleavy Jr., with both players using timing, intelligent off-ball movement and quick decisions to produce efficient possessions without demanding a high volume of touches.

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