As a 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) forward, Bud Ogden led Santa Clara to its best years in its program's history while playing alongside his younger brother, Ralph.

[2] He played for the Broncos from 1966–67 to 1968–69, and was an integral part of an era (1967–1971) that saw the team go 70–10 overall, including two trips to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

[2] The following year, he and his brother guided the Broncos to a 27–2 record, including 21 straight wins to begin the season.

After his junior season at Santa Clara, the Seattle SuperSonics selected him with the 162nd overall pick in the 1968 NBA draft.

[5] He decided to return to school however, and after a successful senior season, the Philadelphia 76ers selected him in the first round (13th overall) in the 1969 draft.

[2][4] He credits his father as instilling grit and determination in him via playing basketball in the driveway: "Dad was merciless.

Bud is now retired from his careers in real estate and teaching high school algebra and special education.

Prior to his first day of teaching, he was asked what he thinks of when his students were going to find out he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.