[3] Colone was a former NBA player for the New York Knicks and could provide excellent coaching and tips to prepare Budd for playing collegiate (and later, professional) basketball.

His talent interested many colleges, but Budd ultimately chose to play at Wake Forest University.

Due to NCAA rules (circa 1971 and earlier), freshmen in college were not allowed to play varsity basketball.

Budd played with future NBA broadcaster (and then-sophomore) Billy Packer during his senior season.

After enjoying success at the college level, Budd was drafted after his senior year by the New York Knicks in 1960.

One of his claims to fame was that he was one of the three centers for the Knicks that attempted to guard Wilt Chamberlain on the night of his record-setting 100-point performance.

The only thing you could attempt to do was either front him, and in that case they'd try to lob it in to him, or beat him down the floor and set up where he wanted to get and force him out a couple of extra steps.