Chase Budinger, the California Athlete of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American, will be the Wildcat’s guest of honor for his first week at Arizona, giving inside perspective to the freshman’s start of school.

-as told to Roman Veytsman

It hasn’t been too different so far, (compared) to the first two days. My classes are pretty simple right now. We’re still going over the syllabus. I think the start of next week, we’ll start getting into things.

On the different cultures in Arizona and Southern California: Not too much, but I haven’t really been able to go out and socialize too much these last couple of days, so I really can’t tell.

I miss the beach because I used to go to the beach all the time. I body surf. Right now is probably when I miss it the most because once the middle of the year comes up, it’ll be during the season, and I’ll be very excited during the season.

On playing volleyball: Maybe after the season, I just have to play it by ear and see how the season goes. I probably will a couple of weeks after the season, just fool around. I always loved playing volleyball.

On his highlights on YouTube.com: I’ve heard of people who have (looked at them). I’ve never gone on there, but I probably should. Some of my friends, they go on YouTube and check out those things.

On Facebook: I just started three or four days ago. I wanted to do it, but I never had my ID and my e-mail and everything. I would say I get like 10 (friend requests) per day. Some friends from school and from all over the place, and some randoms. It’s kind of weird (when random people request). I’m surprised how they find me.

On practice: We lifted at 4:30 (p.m.) and then we practiced at 6:30, so it was pretty much back-to-back, but I thought it was going to be a lot tougher. Once we got into practice, my muscles relaxed and all the soreness went away during practice.

I didn’t lift too much in high school. I tried lifting a lot in the offseason but not too much during the season. I’m used to (not getting sore anymore).

On Lute Olson: Right now he’s a coaching figure, so he’s giving me tips on what to do in certain circumstances. The relationship right now is purely him being the head coach.

On girls: Well right now I’m just playing easy because we’ve been having a lot of late practices and I’ve been really tired getting back, but I think Friday – we get Saturday practice off – so I’ll go out and socialize and everything.

On enjoying the experience so far: Yeah, I’m having a good time. It’s hard work – that’s the biggest thing right now – and I just have to keep pushing myself. Right now I’m getting really sore, but I know the more I push, the soreness will start going away.