NBA Comparison: Chase Budinger

Strengths: A 6’7 215 SG/SF with good size, strength and athletic ability for a wing prospect … Competent floor spacer with consistent mechanics and footwork when spotting up (38% 3FG as a Jr., 37% for his career) and takes smart shots within the offensive flow … Was very good in transition as a college player; runs the floor with a purpose and is effective as a shooting valve when trailing … Showed he can handle the ball in the open court in spurts too, and that he can finish above the rim with no problem…Has enough strength and leaping skills to convert through contact with some success too (54% FG inside the arc as a Jr.) … Plays with a good feel for the game; makes timely cuts for easy finishes off the ball and finds open areas along the wing for shot opportunities when the defense collapses … Makes sound reads as a passer (2.8 apg as a Jr,), nothing flashy but is effective making dumpoff passes to bigs and finding open perimeter players via drive and dish … Decisive decision maker and the ball doesn’t stick to him for long … Has a knack for attacking aggressive closeouts and getting to the rim … Competitive with solid activity level; contributes on the glass on both ends (6.5 rpg), fights to get back in position when beat off the bounce or working through screens, and scraps for loose balls … The type of player who contributes in a number of ways, some that may not necessarily show on the stat sheet … Was often asked to match up with perimeter and frontcourt players alike in Kansas’ switch heavy defense (esp this past season) and didn’t back down from the challenge … Has good awareness as an off ball defender; understands how to position himself between ball and man to disrupt passing lanes and come up with deflections … Has shown enough strength and effort to hold up OK at the point of attack as a perimeter defender in the pros as well … Blocked 33 shots as a Jr. (tied for 2nd on the team), a nice number for a wing prospect…Improved his scoring exponentially every season (14 ppg as a Jr.), added polish to his floor game each season … Has experience and championship pedigree; will certainly have coaches and organizations that will be endeared to his skill set and intangibles

Weaknesses: Can contribute in a number of ways, but doesn’t truly stand out in any particular skill … More good than bad as a jump shooter, but Braun was inconsistent with it during his career at Kansas despite rarely having to take difficult shots (mostly spot-ups with space) and endured a slump or 2 from deep in each of his last 2 seasons after shooting a scorching 44% from 3 in limited minutes as a Fr … Only OK FT shooter numbers (career 74% FT, 73% as a Jr.) shows that he’s solid but not elite with his shooting touch … Doesn’t always shoot with confidence and passes up open shots occasionally, can be unselfish to a fault … Offers very little in the way of a mid-range game, would help to develop a floater … Pretty bland repertoire of moves and gets stalemated if his initial driving lane is cut off … Mediocre ball-handling ability, not particularly fluid or quick off the dribble … Has the functional size and athleticism for the perimeter, but doesn’t possess the length that would allow the positional versatility and shot-blocking production he showed defensively this past season to translate well to the pros … A capable passer but more within the flow of the offense, does not project as a facilitator or true secondary playmaker who has much offense ran through them at the NBA level … Lacks great length with just a +1 wingspan (6’6.5)  in relation to his height …

Overall: Braun was a rotational Fr. contributor before being a fixture in the starting 5 his last 2 seasons at Kansas … He contributes in most all facets of the game and nicely developed his skill set over the course of his career … His activity level and awareness on both ends of the court are very good, and he adds in some floor spacing, transition play and smart passing for good measure … He also admirably contributed on the glass and altering shots by necessity for Bill Self’s team … He tested out with a 40” vertical at the 2022 NBA Combine too, showing nice run-jump athleticism … Still, he has a “jack of all trades, master of none” label as a prospect and he will have to become a more consistent shooter from deep at the next level to alleviate his lacking in-between game … But he was a valuable contributor for a Kansas team that won the national title in 2022; largely due to Braun, the teams 2nd leading scorer, rising to the occasion at key moments throughout their tournament run … Somewhat of an overachiever type, Braun doesnt project to be a star; but has the kind of skill set and traits that would be perfect for a more veteran team with winning culture and an open roster spot for a young wing player …

Notes: Measured: 6′ 5.50” barefoot, 6′ 7.00” in shoes, 8′ 3.50” standing reach, 209.2 lbs, and 6′ 6.50” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Combine …

Jorrye Nixon 5/21/22