Former NBA player Chase Budinger remarkably won his first beach volleyball match as an Olympian
One of the most interesting stories of the summer is that former NBA player Chase Budinger is an Olympian in an entirely different sport.
Budinger, who was named Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game with Kevin Durant in 2006, played basketball professionally from 2009 until 2017.
After spending one year hooping overseas after retiring from the NBA, he began to focus on a different sport. He now represents Team USA in beach volleyball.
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This didn’t come out of nowhere, though, as Budinger led his high school La Costa Canyon to win three state volleyball championships in California.
He was also named as the Mizuno National Player of the Year by Volleyball Magazine. Now an Olympian, he and his doubles partner Miles Evans won their first match against France in straight sets.
Former NBA player Chase Budinger just won his FIRST match at the #Olympics as a member of Team USA men's beach volleyball pic.twitter.com/PHp55j3WW1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 29, 2024
This is not just some fluky story, though, because the 36-year-old Budinger is legitimately good.
Watch him play or check his highlights and you can see his talent for yourself:
Miles Evans and Chase Budinger are off to a hot start in beach volleyball. #ParisOlympics
: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/PenOlUtQgH
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 29, 2024