As Mike Budenholzer prepared to return to his hometown, Holbrook, Arizona, nostalgia mingled with excitement in his expression! The first thing he mentioned at his introductory press conference at Phoenix was his kids, partner, father, and siblings. The household hoops’ name was married to Mary Beth, and together they raised four children: William Vincent, Savoia Elizabeth “Libby,” Hanna Louise, and John Bent “John.” Last year, Bud shifted his focus entirely to family life since he was not coaching any team at the time.

His wife, Mary Ellen Barth, was born on October 10, 1964, in Corpus Christi, Texas, she attended Mary Carroll High School and later studied at the University of Texas, Austin. The couple divorced in 2018. Mary, previously married to Mike Budenholzer, was a supportive partner during his NBA career.

Early in 2013, she and the kids celebrated the Spurs’ success by placing brooms along the streets, symbolizing a series sweep! Budenholzer’s home displayed a “Best of the West” banner, which she received messages about all morning. Known for valuing her privacy, Mary Beth didn’t seek the public eye much.

NBA veteran, Mike Budenholzer’s kids mean a lot to him

Mike likes to spend time with his children. In a press conference he had said, “Really, the time with my kids was just amazing,“. Savoia Elizabeth “Libby” Budenholzer, his daughter, is currently studying at the University of San Diego, where she’s an active member of the Kappa Delta sorority. Before joining USD, Libby attended Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas, as well as The Paideia School in Atlanta, Georgia. Libby was also Mike’s mother’s name.

The Phoenix HC’s second daughter, Hanna Louise Budenholzer, born on April 5, 2002, graduated from Alamo Heights High School in May 2021. She’s now set to attend UC Santa Barbara and is aiming to earn her degree by 2025.

William Vincent Budenholzer, born in 1998, is currently a student at Texas A&M University. Not much is available about him on the internet, but seeing the trend, it could be possible that he also attended Alamo Heights High School.

John Bent Budenholzer, the youngest of Mike and Mary’s children, graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 2024. He was also on the basketball team and Mike said, “Going to every one of his games was just — you drive home and you go, ‘Wow, I got a gift.’ So diving into family and kids was awesome.”

Well, Mike Budenholzer, after a break, is back in the NBA’s coaching sphere. He shared his thoughts on his new journey with the Suns. “It’s mind-boggling to me, like mind-blowing, to think that I’m going to be the head coach of the Phoenix Suns,” he admitted, clearly awestruck by the opportunity. His connection to his roots and passion for this role signal just how much this position means to him, adding a unique personal layer to his career.

Coach Bud, now at 55, has stepped into the role after Frank Vogel’s tenure fell short of expectations. Surrounded by high-caliber talents like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, Bud is keenly aware of the pressure to deliver results.

He expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “I’m excited about working with this roster and these players. We have great players. And with great players come great expectations. I think we embrace that,” his eyes gleaming with determination.