Chase Budinger and Miles Evans' journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics came to a somber end in the Round of 16 of the beach volleyball competition. The American duo faced an uphill battle against defending champions Anders Mol and Christian Sorum from Norway, who triumphed in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
A Sudden Transition from Hardwood to Sand
Chase Budinger's athletic career has been nothing short of eclectic. Drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger began his professional basketball career with the Houston Rockets. A series of trades saw him donning the jerseys of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns before he retired from professional basketball in 2017.
While many might find it challenging to transition between sports, Budinger’s adaptability shone when he teamed up with Miles Evans. The duo qualified for the Paris Olympics in June after climbing their way up the points rankings, showcasing their determination and skill.
An Ongoing Journey
The Olympic journey for Budinger and Evans began on a high note with a victory over a French duo. However, the team struggled in their subsequent matches, falling to teams from the Netherlands and Spain in straight sets. Their resilience was evident as they bounced back in the "lucky losers" round, defeating an Australian team to secure their spot in the Round of 16.
Reflecting on the experience, Budinger expressed the unique thrill of competing on such a grand stage. "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," he shared.
The Path Ahead
Despite their exit, Budinger and Evans have their eyes firmly set on the future. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, anticipated to be held in Santa Monica, is already generating buzz. Budinger, hailing from Carlsbad, California, humorously commented on the reality of time and age catching up. "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.
American Hopes Continue
While Budinger and Evans' campaign concluded, another American men's beach volleyball duo, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, carried the torch forward. Their performance has been commendable, as they advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18.
This resilient spirit and undying aspiration to excel remain the hallmark of American sportsmanship. Whether it's on the hardwood or the sandy courts of Paris, athletes like Chase Budinger continue to inspire with their tenacity and passion.