From the Hardwood to the Sand: Chase Budinger’s Unlikely Olympic Journey

Former NBA Player Chase Budinger Makes U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball Team

A Journey of Transition: From NBA Star to Olympic Beach Volleyball Contender

Chase Budinger’s Unlikely Olympic Journey

Former NBA player Chase Budinger is set to make a splash at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but not on the basketball court. The 6-foot-7 former small forward has clinched his spot to represent the U.S. in beach volleyball, a testament to his extraordinary athletic versatility.

Budinger, alongside his partner Miles Evans, secured the second and final men’s spot for the U.S. after a nail-biting qualification process. Their ticket to Paris was confirmed when rivals Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb failed to advance in the final qualifying tournament, solidifying Budinger and Evans’ place in the Olympic rankings as of June 10.

A Multisport Prodigy

Chase Budinger’s athletic prowess dates back to his high school days at La Costa Canyon High School in Encinitas, California, where he excelled in both basketball and volleyball. As a basketball player, Budinger was a top recruit, sharing MVP honors with Kevin Durant in the 2006 McDonald’s All-American Game. In volleyball, he was equally impressive, being named the National High School Player of the Year by “Volleyball Magazine” in 2005 and earning MVP honors at the 2006 USA Volleyball Boys National Championships.

A Basketball Star Turned Volleyball Hopeful

Budinger’s basketball career took him to the University of Arizona, which unfortunately did not have a men’s volleyball team. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2009 and traded to the Houston Rockets, marking the beginning of his seven-season NBA career. He played for the Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns, before a stint in Spain. By 2017, Budinger decided to retire from professional basketball and pivot to beach volleyball, a sport he had always loved and excelled at recreationally.

A New Chapter in Beach Volleyball

Transitioning from basketball to beach volleyball was not without its challenges. Budinger debuted on the AVP tour in 2018, partnering with Sean Rosenthal and later with several other players before teaming up with Miles Evans in 2023. Reflecting on his decision, Budinger told Yahoo Sports in 2019, “It was tough making that decision of stopping a sport I’ve been doing all my life. The only good thing is it was planned this way. Just the timing of it was the toughest part. I was in that really unsure phase.”

His decision paid off. Budinger and Evans climbed the ranks to become the second-best U.S. men’s team and 13th in the world. Their remarkable synergy and consistent performances earned them the coveted Olympic spot, making Budinger the first athlete to play both an NBA regular-season game and Olympic beach volleyball.

The Road to Paris

Chase Budinger

Budinger and Evans join a strong U.S. beach volleyball contingent. They will compete alongside Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, who are currently ranked fifth in the world. On the women’s side, Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, along with Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, will represent the U.S. as strong medal contenders.

For Budinger, the journey from hardwood to sand is a remarkable story of athletic adaptability and determination. His journey underscores the possibilities that come with embracing change and pursuing one’s passion with unwavering dedication. As the Paris Olympics approach, all eyes will be on Budinger and Evans as they aim to bring home gold for Team USA.

From the courts of the NBA to the beaches of the Olympics, Chase Budinger’s story is a compelling reminder that with talent, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks, new and extraordinary paths can unfold.

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