Houston Rockets small forward Chase Budinger all set to play professional volleyball: NBA Update
Houston Rockets small forward Chase Budinger has decided to play professional volleyball during the NBA lockout.
Budinger used to take part in the volleyball competitions when he was in high school five years ago. Budinger was not just another player in that sport. He was rated as the best volleyball player in the
country and his volleyball game videos can be easily searched on the internet.
However, Budinger eventually fell for the basketball when he chose to enrol in the Arizona State University. Even then Budinger sometimes used to play volleyball, but after declaring himself for 2009 National
Basketball Association Draft, where he was picked up as 44th overall in the second round by the Detroit Pistons, Chase turned his focus solely on the hoops.
However, the lockout has once again provided Budinger a chance to play the one sport, which he loved besides basketball. As now he is free to follow the footsteps of his brother, who plays volleyball professionally.
The 23 year old is so serious about it that he had taken stern steps to play volleyball professionally, as he is giving it a shot by participating in the Corona Light Wide Open beach tournament in Hermosa
Beach.
The six foot seven told during a recent interview that if the lockout wipes out the entire 2011-12 NBA season Chase said that he will be playing volleyball, “If I don't go play in Europe then it's
definitely what I'll be doing. I love volleyball. It's great cross training for my basketball. It's great competition as well. … This gives me a chance during the lockout to go do something that I love as well.”
When he was asked, what are the chances of him playing abroad, Budinger said, “I feel it's a strong possibility. I've shown a lot of interest. I'm willing to go over there and play … different countries
like Spain or Russia. Nothing is set in stone yet. He (agent Bill Duffy) has told me of places that have shown interest.”
Budinger also told that he is taking this volleyball competition very seriously and in order to do well in the contest he had also found good partner. Chase thinks that the best volleyball player he had
ever encountered was Matt Olson and he could try to win against him. Chase warned the opposing volleyball teams that don’t take them as an easy task as they are very competitive and can go far in the tournament.
Budinger carrying out his training on daily basis, his daily routine also includes weight training and playing pickup with players like Deron Williams, Mo Williams and Richard Jefferson that helps him in
staying fit.
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