Q&A: Former Timberwolf Chase Budinger on high school teammate Kevin O’Connell

La Costa Canyon high school in Carlsbad, California had a couple future pro athletes on the basketball team for the 2002-2003 season. NBA veteran and current pro volleyball player Chase Budinger and NFL quarterback and new Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.

O’Connell was a senior when Budinger was a freshman. But being a star, Budinger played on the varsity team at that young age. He noted in a Zoom conversation this week about how great a leader O’Connell was.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Budinger***

Budinger played for the three of his seven years in the NBA with the Timberwolves. Even though Budinger hasn’t seen O’Connell in a few years, he’s tracked his happenings and is thrilled for his former teammate to be taking over the Vikings.

Budinger noted that, at least in 2003, O’Connell was a better dunker than he was. Budinger in 2012 took part in the NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest.