Budinger and Evans Bow Out in Paris 2024 Round of 16
Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, the American beach volleyball pairing, saw their Olympic journey come to an end in the Round of 16 at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their battle against the formidable Norwegian duo, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, ended in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14, marking an abrupt exit for the team in a competition saturated with elite talent.
Mol and Sorum, who had previously claimed gold at the Tokyo Games, showcased their dominance once again, leaving little room for the Americans to maneuver. As defending champions, their game was robust and synchronized, a testament to why they are considered one of the top beach volleyball teams globally.
For Chase Budinger, the transition from professional basketball to beach volleyball has been nothing short of extraordinary. Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger’s career began with the Houston Rockets before trades led him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012, followed by stints with the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns. Retiring from professional basketball in 2017, Budinger redirected his competitive spirit toward the sands of beach volleyball.
His journey to the Olympics began earlier this year when Budinger and Evans secured their qualification in June through an impressive ascent in the points rankings. They kicked off their Olympic campaign with a victory against a French duo, but subsequent straight-set losses to teams from the Netherlands and Spain placed them in a precarious position. However, their resilience shone through in the “lucky losers” round, where they emerged victorious against an Australian team to clinch their spot in the Round of 16.
Budinger's Olympic experience has been nothing short of memorable. Reflecting on the matches played at the iconic Eiffel Tower venue, he shared, “Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure. My first couple of matches, stepping onto the court with 12,000 people cheering ... it was just an incredible atmosphere. Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling -- you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have."
Despite their exit, the duo's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Budinger, hailing from Carlsbad, Calif., and Evans have demonstrated growth and tenacity on the international stage, indicating that they could be ones to watch in future competitions. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, anticipated to be held in Santa Monica, seems like a natural target for Budinger and Evans, provided they continue to compete at a high level.
Chase Budinger remains optimistic about his future in the sport, though he acknowledges the toll athletics takes on an athlete's body. “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 said, hinting at his determination to push forward.
While Budinger and Evans may be out of the running in Paris, another American men’s beach volleyball duo has kept the U.S. hopes alive. Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18, showcasing the depth of American talent in the sport.
As the Paris 2024 beach volleyball tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, with remaining teams vying for the coveted medals. For Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, the journey in Paris may have ended sooner than hoped, but the experiences and memories gained are invaluable stepping stones for their athletic careers.