Former NBA player Chase Budinger is set to make his mark at the 2024 Paris Olympics, not on the basketball court, but in beach volleyball.
Standing at 6-foot-7, the former small forward clinched his spot to represent the U.S. alongside partner Miles Evans, as reported by Alex Andrejev of The Athletic.
Budinger and Evans secured the second and final men’s spot after competitors Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb failed to accumulate enough points in the final qualifying tournament.
After retiring from basketball in 2017, following a stint in Spain with EuroLeague side Baskonia, Budinger shifted his focus to beach volleyball.
His debut on the AVP tour in 2018 marked the beginning of an impressive journey in his new sport.
Reflecting on his transition, Budinger expressed the challenges of leaving a sport he had dedicated his life to.
While it was a tough decision, he acknowledged that the timing played a significant role in his transition to beach volleyball.
Budinger’s qualification for the Paris Olympics makes history, as he becomes the first athlete to compete in both Olympic beach volleyball and an NBA regular-season game.
Despite his successful basketball career, which included memorable moments like competing in the 2012 Slam Dunk Contest, Budinger found a new passion in beach volleyball.
With over 400 NBA games under his belt, Budinger brings a wealth of athleticism and competitive spirit to the beach volleyball arena.
As he prepares to represent the U.S. on the Olympic stage, Budinger’s journey serves as an inspiration to athletes pursuing new opportunities beyond their initial sport.
The 2024 Paris Olympics promise to be an exciting chapter in Budinger’s athletic career, as he looks to make his mark in a different arena.
