American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans bowed out of the Paris Summer Games after a valiant effort that saw them advance to the lucky loser stage. Their quest for Olympic glory came to an end at the hands of the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who triumphed with scores of 21-16 and 21-14.
The road to Paris was a challenging one for Budinger and Evans. They kicked off their Olympic campaign on a high note, securing a win against France in their initial match. However, subsequent losses to the Netherlands and Spain placed them in a precarious position. Their final match, which determined their exit, proved to be a tough contest against a world-class Norwegian pair.
From the NBA to Beach Volleyball
Chase Budinger's transition from the hardwood courts of the NBA to the sandy arenas of beach volleyball is nothing short of remarkable. A former professional basketball player, Budinger spent seven years in the NBA before switching gears to pursue beach volleyball. His partnership with Miles Evans began at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, and together, they managed to accumulate enough points to compete in Paris just in the last two weeks of June prior to the Games.
Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Budinger remarked, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure." The sentiment was echoed by his teammate Evans, who described the experience as, "by far the coolest thing I've ever done in my entire life."
Their match beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower was a historic moment, witnessed by 12,000 enthusiastic fans. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," Budinger reflected.
A Journey of Respect and Admiration
Their efforts did not go unnoticed by their competitors. Norwegian player Anders Mol expressed deep admiration for Budinger, stating, "So much respect for Chase, who was able to play in the NBA for many years and was a great player there. And now he manages to play an Olympic sport for USA, beach volleyball. Those two sports are so different. He is a really athletic guy. And it's really cool. I have so much respect for that journey."
Despite the early exit, Budinger and Evans remain optimistic about their future in beach volleyball. They have set their sights on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica. By then, Budinger will be approaching the age of 40. "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 shared.
Evans, too, is hopeful about their prospects in the 2028 Games. "I hope that we can make the 2028 Olympics and see what that's all about. But this will always be one of the best memories of my life," he said. The duo took a moment to appreciate the significance of their experience in Paris. "We took a moment before we had to head out, just, 'Let's look at this one more time. We're not going to see this again,'" Evans reminisced.
The story of Budinger and Evans at the Paris Summer Games is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and passion for competing at the highest level. Their journey, marked by moments of triumph and challenge, will be remembered not just for their athletic performances but for the indelible memories they created on the Olympic stage.