Chase Budinger is back home in SoCal this week, competing in a prestigious volleyball tournament ... and he tells TMZ Sports if he ends up winning the whole shebang, he's already got some cute plans for the prize cash.
The former NBA star -- who's now a volleyball pro -- is one of several huge names participating in the Newport Beach Volleyball Invitational ... which kicked off in Orange County, Calif. on Tuesday.
The first part of the event is a 2-on-2 competition, which will go until Saturday, and then on Sunday, there will be a 4-on-4 tourney.