As the 2024 Paris Olympics continues to unfold, American sports fans witnessed a rollercoaster journey for Chase Budinger and Miles Evans in the men's beach volleyball competition. Despite showing commendable grit and determination, the duo's journey came to an end in the Round of 16, where they were up against the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. The match concluded with the defending champions securing a decisive victory in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
A Cross-Sport Transition
Chase Budinger’s path to the sands of Paris is especially remarkable given his illustrious career in a different arena altogether. Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger began his professional basketball journey with the Houston Rockets before transitioning to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012. Over the years, he also played for the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns, ultimately retiring from professional basketball in 2017.
However, Budinger's competitive spirit found a new home in beach volleyball. In June, he and his partner Miles Evans earned their ticket to the Paris Olympics, ascending through the points rankings to secure their spot. Reflecting on his diverse athletic career, Budinger shared, "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."
The Road to the Round of 16
Their Olympic journey started on a high note with an impressive victory over a French duo. However, the tides soon turned as Budinger and Evans faced back-to-back losses against teams from the Netherlands and Spain, both in straight sets. This placed them in a precarious position, but they showcased their resilience in the "lucky losers" round, where they managed to overpower an Australian team to advance to the Round of 16.
Their encounter with the reigning Olympic champions Mol and Sorum was always going to be a tough challenge. The Norwegian pair, who clinched gold in the Tokyo Games, demonstrated why they are the team to beat with a dominant performance against the Americans, ending Budinger and Evans' campaign in Paris.
Looking Forward
Despite their early exit, Budinger and Evans can hold their heads high for their noteworthy performance and the memories forged on one of the world’s grandest stages. Budinger, hailing from Carlsbad, Calif., expressed his perspective on the occasion, saying, "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."
American Beach Volleyball Shines On
While Budinger and Evans' journey concluded earlier than hoped, there was still success to be found for the United States in beach volleyball. Another American men's duo, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, advanced to the quarterfinals with an assertive victory over Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai. They won in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18, keeping the American flag flying high in the competition.
As the beach volleyball matches continue, sports enthusiasts can expect more thrilling moments and intense competition leading up to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, slated to be held in the iconic beach setting of Santa Monica.
For now, Chase Budinger and Miles Evans can take pride in their efforts and look back at an unforgettable chapter in their sporting lives. From the courts of the NBA to the sands of the Paris Olympics, Budinger's unique journey exemplifies the spirit of athletic versatility and perseverance.