Former NBA Player Chase Budinger Is Now A U.S. Olympian In Beach Volleyball

Chase Budinger didn’t necessarily have a great NBA career. A second-round pick of the Detroit Pistons out of Arizona back in 2009, he played for four teams over the course of an eight-year career.

Budinger’s NBA career came to an end as a member of the Phoenix Suns back in 2015-16. He ultimately averaged 7.9 points and 3.0 rebounds on 43% shooting in the professional ranks.

Fast forward nearly a decade, and Budinger is about to take on the biggest stage of his life.

Let us explain.

The Southern California native joined teammate Miles Evans in clinching a spot on the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball squad for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The duo clinched the final spot with a late surge on Wednesday.

Budinger retired from professional basketball after playing overseas back in 2018. He then focused on playing beach volleyball on a full-time basis.

Budinger’s teammate has a more vast history of playing this sport. He was an indoor volleyball star at UC Santa Barbara before moving oceanside.

Related: Caitlin Clark Olympic Bound? WNBA Star Could Still Make Team USA Roster For Paris

Yes, Chase Budinger Does Have A Track Record Playing Volleyball

Outside of the fact that Budinger, 36, looks like your typical California beach bum (signed one), he has had past success between the nets.

Budinger was named Volleyball Magazine’s (that’s a thing) National Player of the Year as a senior in La Costa Canyon. He won three state championships in high school.

If you don’t believe us …

Chase Budinger And His Connection With NBA Legend

Everything also seems to come full circle. It was back in 2006 that Budinger was the No. 4-ranked recruit in the nation before heading to the Arizona Wildcats.

He was named co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game a long with a man named Kevin Durant. You might have heard of him.

No word yet on whether Budinger and KD will meet up in Paris and reminisce about the good-old days.

Related: California Has Dominated United States Gold Medals At Summer Olympics; Surprises Emerge After That