Spring Break
Olson says Budinger will stay
The Daily Barometer
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Sports
TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona coach Lute Olson says he expects sophomore Marcus Williams to enter the NBA draft but freshman Chase Budinger to stay for another season with the Wildcats.
"Marcus has made it pretty clear from when he didn't put his name in last year that he would put his name in this year," Olson said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "That is pretty much a given.
Williams is the team's leading scorer at 16.8 points per game and is averaging 7.1 rebounds.
Budinger, one of the top freshmen in the country, is averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He has said since he arrived on campus that he would not leave after this season.
"I don't think he is even considering that," Olson said. "Chase knows he has a lot of work to do yet and there is no need financially for him to do that. He is enjoying his college experience."
Budinger has started every game this season since graduating from La Costa Canyon High School in Encinitas, Calif., where he earned Parade All-America and McDonald's All-America honors.
"I'm pretty sure I will be back for next year. I'm almost 100 percent positive," Budinger said. "Just talking to my family, my parents, people who are close to me, Coach O, I just know I still have some things to work on. Next year, I want to try to be the best college basketball player out there."
"Marcus has made it pretty clear from when he didn't put his name in last year that he would put his name in this year," Olson said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "That is pretty much a given.
Williams is the team's leading scorer at 16.8 points per game and is averaging 7.1 rebounds.
Budinger, one of the top freshmen in the country, is averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He has said since he arrived on campus that he would not leave after this season.
"I don't think he is even considering that," Olson said. "Chase knows he has a lot of work to do yet and there is no need financially for him to do that. He is enjoying his college experience."
Budinger has started every game this season since graduating from La Costa Canyon High School in Encinitas, Calif., where he earned Parade All-America and McDonald's All-America honors.
"I'm pretty sure I will be back for next year. I'm almost 100 percent positive," Budinger said. "Just talking to my family, my parents, people who are close to me, Coach O, I just know I still have some things to work on. Next year, I want to try to be the best college basketball player out there."
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