Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their 2024 Paris Olympics journey come to an early end after being eliminated in the Round of 16 of the beach volleyball competition. The American duo faced a formidable challenge against the defending champions from Norway, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, and were defeated in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
Budinger, a former professional basketball player selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, transitioned to beach volleyball after retiring from basketball in 2017. He initially made a name for himself in the NBA, playing for teams such as the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and the Phoenix Suns. His retirement from professional basketball marked the beginning of a new chapter in his athletic career.
A Memorable Olympic Debut
For Budinger, competing in the Olympics was a dream come true and an experience he will cherish for the rest of his life. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," Budinger said. "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."
Budinger and Evans qualified for the Paris Olympics in June, triumphing in the points rankings to secure their spot. Their Olympic campaign kicked off with a victory over a French duo, raising hopes for a successful tournament. However, subsequent losses against teams from the Netherlands and Spain in straight sets led them to the "lucky losers" round, where they successfully defeated an Australian team to advance to the Round of 16.
A Tough Draw and Learning Experience
The matchup against Mol and Sorum, who had secured gold in the Tokyo Games, was always going to be a tough challenge. The Norwegian pair lived up to their reputation, showcasing their dominance and skill on the sand. For Budinger and Evans, it was a tough lesson but also a significant learning experience.
"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 remarked, reflecting on his future in beach volleyball.
Looking Ahead to Future Competitions
Another American men's beach volleyball pair, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, managed to advance to the quarterfinals by defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18. Their progression in the tournament has injected optimism for American hopes in the sport.
The anticipation is already building for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, set to be held in Santa Monica. For athletes like Budinger, who hails from Carlsbad, Calif., the prospect of competing on home soil offers a motivating goal and another possibility to create indelible memories.
Budinger and Evans’ journey in Paris may have come to an end, but their story is far from over. With the Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, the duo has an opportunity to refine their skills and aim higher. For now, reflecting on Paris, Budinger’s sentiment echoes the spirit of many athletes: charging towards the next challenge and savoring every moment in the world’s grandest sporting arena.