Chase Budinger's Olympic Journey Cut Short in Paris
Former NBA player Chase Budinger's venture into the 2024 Paris Olympics with partner Miles Evans ended sooner than hoped, as the American pair was eliminated in the Round of 16 of the beach volleyball competition. Their hopes were dashed by defending champions from Norway, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who clinched victory in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
Budinger, primarily recognized for his basketball career, was selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft and spent his initial years with the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012. He later played for the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns, retiring from professional basketball in 2017. Interestingly, Budinger's athletic versatility traces back to high school, where he also excelled in indoor volleyball, a precursor to his beach volleyball pursuits.
A New Athletic Chapter
The transition from hardwood to sand courts marked a significant chapter in Budinger's life, culminating in their qualification for the Paris Olympics in June. This milestone was achieved after Budinger and Evans ascended the points rankings, demonstrating their competence and resilience in the sport.
Their Olympic campaign commenced with a promising victory over a French duo. However, subsequent matches against teams from the Netherlands and Spain resulted in straight-set losses, placing them in a precarious position. Despite these setbacks, Budinger and Evans showcased their tenacity by triumphing in the "lucky losers" round against an Australian team, securing their spot in the Round of 16.
Encounter with the Defending Champions
Facing Mol and Sorum, the formidable Norwegian duo who secured gold in the Tokyo Games, proved to be an insurmountable challenge. The defending champions dominated both sets with ease, bringing an end to Budinger and Evans' spirited Olympic journey.
Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Budinger remarked, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure. 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."
Looking Ahead to L.A.
Although their Paris campaign was brief, the prospect of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics - close to Budinger's hometown of Carlsbad, Calif., and anticipated to be held in Santa Monica - presents a tantalizing opportunity. Budinger, who will be 40 by then, takes a pragmatic view of his future in the sport. "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," he shared.
Budinger's journey from the NBA to beach volleyball underscores his remarkable adaptability and enduring passion for competition. His brief but impactful Olympic stint in Paris has etched new memories into his diverse athletic career.
Meanwhile, another American men's beach volleyball duo, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, managed to advance to the quarterfinals by defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai with a straight-sets victory of 21-17, 21-18, keeping U.S. hopes alive in the tournament.
As Budinger reflects on his Olympic experience and contemplates his future, the 2028 Games offer a potential stage for another inspiring chapter in his multifaceted sports journey.