Arizona F Budinger enters NBA draft

Apr 9, 2008 - 12:22 AM TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- Arizona sophomore forward Chase Budinger announced Tuesday that he will enter this year's NBA draft.

Budinger, who left open the possibility of returning to the Wildcats for his junior season, joins freshman guard Jerryd Bayless as early-entry candidates, potentially robbing Arizona of its top two scorers from a season ago.

"It's always been my goal to play in the NBA and I feel like I need to take the next step to be able to do that," Budinger said. "This is a good time for me to get some feedback on my game."

Both players have until June 19 to withdraw their name from the draft-eligible list without penalty, so long as they do not sign with an agent and maintain their college course work.

The 6-foot-7, 208-pound Budinger averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 34 appearances this season. In two seasons at Arizona, he averaged 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 65 career games - all starts.

Arizona was coached all season by Kevin O'Neill after Lute Olson, sat out the season due to personal reasons. The Wildcats qualified for their 24th consecutive NCAA Tournament, but were bounced by West Virginia in the first round.