Mike Budenholzer’s path in life seemed set before he was even born. When the Phoenix Suns‘ boss’ mother, Libby Budenholzer, went into labor with her seventh child one Wednesday night in Holbrook, Arizona, it happened to coincide with the weekly older youth basketball games. Vince, her husband, decided that their two oldest sons should take the family car to basketball, while he opted to walk to the hospital to welcome their new arrival.

The Budenholzer family fully embraced basketball, and Holbrook, in turn, embraced them. This small Arizona town, with a population of 5,000, sits just 15 miles from the Navajo Nation and is a melting pot of cultures. Known for its Old West charm as a former Route 66 stop, Holbrook also boasts proximity to the Petrified Forest, located just 20 miles away.

For 25 years, Budenholzer’s father dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at Holbrook High School, guiding the team to a state championship in 1971 and earning a place in the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Libby served the community in multiple roles—she was once Holbrook’s mayor, contributed to the City Council, spearheaded city improvements, and worked with both Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and the local school system, according to Robbie Koerperich, the superintendent of Holbrook Unified School District.

While he is an Arizona native, his family has roots in Germany. In conversation with SPOX.com, a German website, Mike was asked if Budenholzer sounds German, there must be German ancestors.

He replied, “Yes, there is. I don’t know exactly how far we have to go back to my father’s ancestors, I don’t know that well, but we Budenholzers are German. I’ve always been joking in Atlanta that with Dennis Schröder I finally have a player who can pronounce my name correctly.” He has German roots but he is American through and through and has had a long journey in the NBA.

Mike Budenholzer’s coaching career

Mike Budenholzer began his coaching journey as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs under the renowned Gregg Popovich, where he dedicated 19 seasons, eventually becoming the team’s lead assistant. His time with the Spurs included several NBA championships, earning him a reputation as a coach who excels at building strong defenses.

In 2013, Budenholzer took on the role of the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks. His impact was immediate—leading the team to a franchise-best 60-win season and winning the NBA Coach of the Year award in his first year. Known for his focus on teamwork and player growth, he steered the Hawks to consistent playoff appearances.

In 2018, Budenholzer joined the Milwaukee Bucks as head coach, again making an immediate impact by guiding them to the NBA’s best record in his first season and earning his second Coach of the Year award. His coaching approach combines an up-tempo offense with solid defense, solidifying the Bucks as a top NBA team. He led the Bucks to the franchise’s first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021.

Throughout his career, Budenholzer has amassed numerous achievements, consistently leading the Bucks to on-court success and demonstrating his commitment to the sport of basketball.

The journey ahead won’t be a walk in the park, but there’s definitely potential for improvement. Last season, the Suns fell short of expectations, securing only 49 wins during the regular season. They needed to make some adjustments to their roster. Phoenix struggled with a lack of a genuine point guard, defensive stalwarts, and depth—issues that will be challenging to tackle given their top-heavy salary cap situation.

However, having the “Big 3” consisting of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker provides a solid foundation that they need to leverage to its fullest potential. And Budenholzer is expected to use them better than how his predecessor, Frank Vogel.

Budenholzer hails from the coaching lineage of Gregg Popovich, bringing a wealth of experience in managing star players, which will certainly be beneficial in this scenario. Plus, he boasts a robust offensive background that can enhance the team’s performance.