From NBA to beach volleyball, Olympic athlete’s dream comes to an end

Paris — Better than he imagined. 

Although his Olympic dream ended Monday, Chase Budinger’s experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside beach volleyball partner Miles Evans exceeded all expectations. 

“You can’t replicate the type of memories that we have,” Budinger said following the USA’s Round of 16 loss in two sets (16-21, 14-21) to defending Olympic gold medalists Anders Mol and Christian Soerum of Norway. 

The former NBA player said playing in the Olympics will be alongside the list of his favorite basketball memories. 

“I think playing in this arena with all the U.S. support that we’ve gotten, it’s really special and really emotional and really just fun,” Budinger said. ‘My Olympic experience was amazing.” 

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One snapshot he’ll hold onto is from the first match against France, with the home crowd out in full force, creating “an incredible atmosphere.” Playing alongside Evans and enjoying the athletes’ village, knowing everybody there strived for the same goal, are other things he’ll remember. 

Evans said he and Budinger had been hyping the Games for a long time. Their time here managed to clear every bar. 

“This is by far the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life,” said Evans, who has played volleyball professionally since 2016.

The adrenaline coursing through his body and being unable to hear Budinger despite standing three feet away from one another on the sand are flashbacks he will have. 

One of the biggest takeaways, Evans said, is managing his mindset – not becoming too high or too low. Now he has confidence to handle crowds and external factors. 

“This is by far the most stressful thing I’ve ever been a part of,” Evans said. “But it’s also the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.” 

The pressure of representing the country is more than an average NBA game, Budinger said. “Those nerves definitely kick in when you hear those ‘USA’ chants,” he said. “Nothing gives you chills and the emotions (more) than hearing those.” 

By making the Olympics, Budinger said, he and Evans proved a lot of people wrong. Now he can watch the final rounds of the Olympic basketball tournament that has progressed from Lille, France to Paris. 

“And I hope that we can make the 2028 Olympics and see what that’s all about,” Evans said. “But this will always be one of the best memories of my entire life.” 

For the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Budinger will be 40. 

“I’ll be old as dirt,” he said, adding that he has always said that decision will be based on how his body feels. He’ll take it year-to-year, but in the present, he’s been feeling “great.” 

Before Evans and Budinger left Centre Court at Eiffel Tower Stadium for the last time, they paused to soak in the vista. 

“We’re not going to see this again,” Evans said to Budinger. 

But maybe we’ll see the duo in Los Angeles.

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