Chase Budinger's Olympic Journey: From NBA Courts to Beach Volleyball Sands
Chase Budinger, a former NBA player turned beach volleyball competitor, saw his Olympic dreams halted in the Round of 16 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Alongside his partner Miles Evans, Budinger faced a daunting challenge against the reigning champions from Norway, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. The Norwegian duo proved too strong, securing their victory in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
Budinger’s athletic journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Carlsbad, Calif. native initially played for the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012. His basketball career further saw him donning the jerseys of the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns. After nearly a decade in professional basketball, Budinger retired in 2017, only to pivot dramatically to beach volleyball.
The transition paid off when Budinger and Evans qualified for the Paris Olympics in June, an achievement that was the result of their hard-earned ascent up the points rankings. Budinger and Evans started their Olympic campaign on a high note, defeating a French duo in their opening match. However, subsequent losses to teams from the Netherlands and Spain threatened to derail their progress. Their perseverance led them to win the "lucky losers" round against an Australian team, securing their spot in the Round of 16, albeit briefly.
Despite the defeat, Budinger cherishes his Olympic experience. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," he shared. "My first couple of matches, stepping onto the court with 12,000 people cheering ... it was just an incredible atmosphere. Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling -- you can't replicate these type of memories that we'll have."
The 2024 Paris Olympics presented a blend of elation and challenges for Budinger and Evans. While their early elimination might have been disappointing, their journey to the Olympics was a testament to their dedication and skill. Budinger, reflecting on his age and future in the sport, remarked, "I'll be old as dirt. I've always said it's really up to my body. And I take it year by year of how my body's feeling. Right now, I can say my body's been feeling great."
The U.S. beach volleyball scene had other highlights as well. Another American pair, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, advanced to the quarterfinals after a decisive victory over Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai, winning in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18. Their progress adds a glimmer of hope and excitement for fans of American beach volleyball.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, many are already looking forward to seeing Budinger potentially play on home soil in Santa Monica. For now, his Paris performance remains a memorable chapter in a career that has spanned both professional basketball courts and the sun-soaked sands of international beach volleyball.
Chase Budinger's story is one of perseverance and adaptability. Rising from the ranks of the NBA to becoming an Olympic beach volleyball player demonstrates his versatile talent and relentless spirit. Whatever the future holds for Budinger, his experiences at the Paris Olympics have carved out a unique and inspiring narrative of sporting excellence.