Chase Budinger, a former college basketball standout with a seven-year NBA career, will be representing the United States in beach volleyball at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The 36-year-old athlete, along with his partner Miles Evans, secured a spot on the U.S. men’s team by qualifying on Wednesday. Despite being tied for 13th in the world rankings, they are considered the second-best U.S. team behind Miles Partain and Andy Benesh, who are ranked fifth. Budinger’s journey to this point is a fascinating one, having excelled in both basketball and volleyball since his high school days at La Costa Canyon High School in Encinitas, California.
During his time at La Costa Canyon High School, Budinger shone in both basketball and volleyball, earning accolades such as being a McDonald’s All American in basketball in 2006 and Volleyball Magazine’s National High School Player of the Year in 2005. His versatility and athleticism were on full display as he continued his sports career at the collegiate level, playing basketball at the University of Arizona. In his three seasons with the Wildcats from 2006 to 2009, Budinger averaged impressive numbers of 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, starting in all 100 games he played.
Transitioning to the Pros
Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft, Budinger went on to play for several teams over the course of his professional basketball career. From 2009 to 2016, he suited up for the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns, averaging 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 407 games, with 50 of them being starts. Following his NBA stint, Budinger spent a season playing in Europe before making the surprising switch to beach volleyball, where he joined the AVP Tour in 2018. His transition from the hardwood to the sand court was seamless, showcasing his adaptability and determination to compete at the highest level.
As Budinger gears up to compete in beach volleyball at the 2024 Olympics, he is set to make history as the only person to have played a regular-season NBA game and later participate in Olympic beach volleyball. This remarkable feat sets him apart from other athletes and highlights his exceptional skills and passion for competition. Notably, Keith Erickson, a member of UCLA’s championship basketball teams in the 1960s, also ventured into volleyball, representing the U.S. men’s indoor team at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Erickson later went on to win an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972, showcasing the crossover between different sports disciplines and the elite athletes that excel in them. Chase Budinger’s journey from basketball star to Olympic beach volleyball contender serves as a testament to his versatility, determination, and relentless pursuit of athletic excellence.
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