Report: Budinger will enter NBA draft

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Geoff Grammer

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It has long been understood the chances of keeping Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill at UA for next season were slim.

In fact, many have presumed all of the big three – that includes guard Nic Wise – would be going pro instead of spending their final college season in what could be the beginning of a rebuilding process in Tucson under the new coach.

So while it may come as no big surprise, it appears Budinger's departure is a step closer to becoming official as SportingNews.com reporter Sean Deveney is reporting Budinger will be going to the NBA instead of playing one season under newly hired coach Sean Miller.

In the TSN.com story, Deveney states he obtained a copy of a prepared statement Budinger plans to release later this week:

"I am so thankful for the fans and alumni at Arizona that have been so supportive of me throughout my time in Tucson. I'd like to express my appreciation to my coaches and teammates for their support in one of the most important decisions I've ever made. I will not be returning to Arizona and I will be entering the 2009 NBA draft."

Budinger and Hill are expected to be first-round draft picks. According to the latest mock draft on NBADraft.net, Hill is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers and Budinger No. 11 overall to the Indiana Pacers. That same mock draft has former-UA-recruit-turned-European-pro-baller Brandon Jennings projected to go No. 5 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.