The beach volleyball dreams of Chase Budinger and Miles Evans came to an end in the Round of 16 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The American duo was eliminated by the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who secured a straight-sets victory with scores of 21-16, 21-14. Mol and Sorum, who had previously clinched gold in the Tokyo Games, proved too strong for the Americans.
Chase Budinger is no stranger to high-level competition, having initially made his mark in the sporting world as a professional basketball player. Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger began his NBA career with the Houston Rockets. Over the years, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns before retiring from professional basketball in 2017. Seeking new challenges, Budinger transitioned to beach volleyball and has since made significant strides in the sport.
Budinger and his teammate, Miles Evans, qualified for the Paris Olympics in June by ascending the points rankings. Their Olympic journey began on a high note with a victory over a French duo. However, subsequent losses to teams from the Netherlands and Spain dampened their initial success. They managed to secure their spot in the Round of 16 by winning the "lucky losers" round against an Australian team.
Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Budinger said, "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." Clearly, the experience left an indelible mark on the athlete, encompassing the unique charm of Paris and the intensity of Olympic competition.
Although Budinger and Evans exited the competition earlier than they had hoped, another American men's beach volleyball duo advanced further. Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh secured their place in the quarterfinals by defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18. These players' success underscores the depth of talent in American beach volleyball.
Budinger, hailing from Carlsbad, California, has shown resilience and adaptability throughout his sporting career. From the hardwood courts of the NBA to the sandy courts of international beach volleyball, his journey exemplifies the spirit of an athlete continually seeking to push boundaries. When asked about his future, Budinger offered a candid reflection: "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."
Looking ahead, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are anticipated to be held in Santa Monica, offering another potential stage for Budinger and Evans, should they decide to extend their athletic careers. For now, their Paris adventure, though cut short, stands as a testament to their hard work and determination in the face of stiff competition.
The Paris Games highlight the global nature of sports, where athletes from diverse backgrounds converge to test their mettle. Budinger’s narrative is particularly compelling, underscoring the evolving pathways of modern athletes who transition between sports and continue to strive for excellence.