Arizona men’s basketball player Chase Budinger was named to the 2007-08 Naismith Trophy Midseason top-30 list, the list’s voting academy announced Tuesday.

The Naismith Trophy is given annually to college basketball’s player of the year.

The forward is averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.88 assists in 20 games this season. He’s scored in double figures 18 times, including seven 20-point games and one 30-point effort.

As last season’s Pacific 10 Conference Freshman of the Year, Budinger averaged 15.6 ppg, 5.8 boards and two assists per game over 31 games.

“”I think he’s starting to understand and grasp how important it is for him to play in a more assertive role, because he’s one of the guys we’re looking to and going to all the time,”” said UA interim head coach Kevin O’Neill. “”I really like the way he’s been playing.””

The Naismith Trophy winner will be recognized at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio.