Chase Budinger's Unconventional Olympic Journey Ends in Round of 16
Chase Budinger and Miles Evans' valiant run in the beach volleyball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics came to an end in the Round of 16. The American duo was eliminated by the reigning champions from Norway, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, in a straight-sets defeat, 21-16, 21-14.
Budinger's journey to the sandy courts of Paris is one of the most unique stories of these Olympics. Once a professional basketball player, Budinger was selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He began his NBA career with the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012, later playing for the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns. In 2017, after an eight-year stint in professional basketball, Budinger retired from the sport.
Transition to Beach Volleyball
Following his retirement, Budinger transitioned to beach volleyball, a move that raised many eyebrows but ultimately showcased his athletic versatility. “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,” Budinger reflected.
Budinger and his partner, Miles Evans, qualified for the Paris Olympics in June after ascending the points rankings. Their Olympic campaign began on a high note with a victory over a French duo. However, they faced subsequent defeats against teams from the Netherlands and Spain, losing both matches in straight sets. Despite these setbacks, their perseverance paid off when they won the "lucky losers" round against an Australian team, securing their spot in the Round of 16.
A Strong but Short-Lived Campaign
Facing the Norwegian pair of Mol and Sorum, who had previously claimed gold in the Tokyo Games, was an insurmountable challenge for Budinger and Evans. The Norwegian champions played with precision and dominance, swiftly ending the American duo's Olympic dreams. Still, Budinger and Evans' performance was commendable, considering their relatively recent partnership and Budinger's fresh transition from basketball to volleyball.
Miles Evans displayed immense gratitude and pride in their journey, echoing Budinger's sentiments about the atmosphere and the unforgettable experience of competing under the Eiffel Tower's lights.
Looking Forward
The future remains bright for the determined beach volleyball player. "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," said Budinger, hinting that he isn’t planning to step away from the sport just yet.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are anticipated to be held in Santa Monica, which could present a unique opportunity for Budinger and Evans to make another Olympic appearance on home turf. Another American men's beach volleyball duo, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, has already shown promise by advancing to the quarterfinals in Paris, defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18.
Budinger, who hails from Carlsbad, California, has proven that with determination and hard work, athletes can successfully transition between sports at an elite level. While their Paris journey has ended, the memories created and the milestones achieved serve as a testament to their dedication and athletic prowess.