Budinger and Evans' Olympic Journey Ends in Round of 16
The dynamic American beach volleyball duo, Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, saw their Olympic journey at the 2024 Paris Games come to an end in the Round of 16, following a straight-sets defeat to Norway's formidable defenders, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. The reigning champions, who clinched gold at the Tokyo Games, executed a clinical 21-16, 21-14 victory, eliminating the American pair from the competition.
A Basketball Star Turned Beach Volleyball Contender
Chase Budinger's transition from professional basketball to beach volleyball has been nothing short of remarkable. Budinger, a former NBA second-round draft pick in 2009, initially showcased his athletic talents on the basketball court with the Houston Rockets before subsequent stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns. Following his retirement from professional basketball in 2017, Budinger took his competitive spirit to the sandy shores of beach volleyball.
Reflecting on his unique journey, Budinger remarked, "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."
Qualifying for Paris and Early Matches
Budinger and Evans secured their qualification for the Paris Games in June, ascending the points rankings to earn their spot. Their Olympic campaign began on a promising note with a victory over a French duo. However, subsequent matches against teams from the Netherlands and Spain resulted in straight-sets defeats. Despite these setbacks, Budinger and Evans persevered, clinching a pivotal win in the "lucky losers" round against an Australian team to secure their place in the Round of 16.
Their triumphant entry into the knockout stages of the competition, however, came to a halt at the hands of Mol and Sorum, whose consistency and skill left little room for the Americans to maneuver. Still, their journey to the Round of 16 showcased their tenacity and competitive spirit on the world stage.
Fellow Americans Advance
In a parallel storyline, another American men’s beach volleyball team, comprising Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, managed to advance to the quarterfinals. Their straight-sets victory (21-17, 21-18) over Italy’s Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai primes them as a bright spot for American beach volleyball fans, offering a glimpse of hope and excitement as the tournament progresses.
A Look to the Future
For Budinger, whose roots trace back to Carlsbad, Calif. the journey in Paris adds another chapter to his diverse athletic career. As he contemplates the future, he acknowledges the physical demands of the sport. "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," Budinger shared, indicating a positive outlook on his continued participation in beach volleyball.
Looking ahead, the anticipation builds for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, potentially set to be held in Santa Monica. With the experience and memories garnered from Paris, Budinger and Evans could very well be inspired to strive for another Olympic run on home soil, eager to make their mark once again.