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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

    Budinger a preseason All-American

    Chase Budinger
    Chase Budinger

    Arizona men’s basketball forward Chase Budinger was named a preseason All-American by collegehoops.net, Arizona Athletics announced Tuesday.

    The 6-foot-7-inch junior, who tested the NBA Draft waters at the end of last season, was a third-team selection by the Web site. UCLA guard Darren Collison was a first-team candidate and ASU guard James Harden was placed on the second team.

    Budinger averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game as a sophomore.

    “”He’s really developed into, I think, the leader of the team up to this point – the primary leader,”” said UA head coach Lute Olson.

    Budinger was a Playboy preseason All-American before last season. He went on to lead the team with 73 3-pointers, scored in double figures 29 times and shot .446 percent from the field as a sophomore.

    This year Olson said he expects Budinger to shoot with even more precision.

    “”He’s shooting the ball a whole lot better than he’s ever shot it for us,”” Olson said.

    Budinger said he’s ready to take his leadership and maturity into meaningful competition.

    “”I can’t wait to just start playing games already,”” he said.

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