American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans faced heartbreak as their Paris Summer Games journey came to an abrupt end. Budinger, a former NBA player, and Evans, his formidable partner, bowed out of the tournament after a spirited battle against the top-seeded Norwegian pair, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum.
A Promising Start
The American pair kicked off their Olympic campaign triumphantly with a victory over France. However, subsequent matches against formidable teams from the Netherlands and Spain resulted in losses. The critical match against Norway in the lucky loser stage sealed their fate, ending with decisive scores of 21-16 and 21-14 in favor of Mol and Sorum.
Reflecting on their Olympic debut, Budinger emphasized the unique nature of their experience. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," he remarked. For Evans, this was a monumental personal achievement. "We've been hyping this up for so long, and it definitely exceeded expectations. This is by far the coolest thing I've ever done in my entire life," he said.
From Hardwood to Sand
Budinger's transition from the NBA to Olympic beach volleyball has been notable. With a seven-year NBA career behind him, he began his partnership with Evans at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. The duo scraped through the qualification process, securing their spot in Paris in the final two weeks of June before the Games.
Beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, they played a match attended by 12,000 enthralled spectators. Budinger and Evans took a moment before exiting the scene to soak in the ambiance. "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," praised Anders Mol.
Memories and Future Aspirations
Despite their early exit, the memories forged in Paris are indelible for the American duo. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," shared Budinger. Evans echoed this sentiment: "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.'
Both players are optimistic about their future, setting their sights on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica. Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years old during the 2028 Games, acknowledged the challenges of maintaining peak physical condition but remains hopeful. "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," he noted.
For Evans, the Paris Games will always hold a special place in his heart. "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 concluded with a sense of fulfillment and anticipation for what lies ahead.