The slam dunk contest was a memorable experience for Chase Budinger, but his participation in the Olympics has added more unforgettable moments to his basketball career. Budinger expressed his joy at playing in the Olympics and described the incredible atmosphere of competing with 12,000 fans cheering under the sparkling Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Despite being a former NBA player for the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, Budinger and his partner Miles Evans faced tough competition in beach volleyball, ultimately falling to Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, the gold medalists from Tokyo. Despite their loss, Budinger received praise for his athleticism and transition to a different sport by the Norwegian team.
The journey to the Olympics wasn’t easy for Budinger and Evans, as they had to secure a spot in the final two weeks of the Olympic qualifying season. Their performance in the Summer Games included victories over France but also losses to the Netherlands and Spain before succumbing to the Norwegians in the round of 16.
Reflecting on the experience, both Budinger and Evans acknowledged the significance of their Olympic journey and hoped to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. The prospect of playing as the home team in Los Angeles, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica, excites them, despite the challenges of aging in a physically demanding sport like beach volleyball. Budinger, who will be 40 by 2028, emphasized the importance of listening to his body when considering his future in the sport.
