Chase Budinger was a pro basketball player and NBA journeyman. Now he’s at the Olympics playing a different sport entirely

Chase Budinger is used to playing in packed stadiums, but never like this.

Chase Budinger is used to playing in packed stadiums, but never like this. The former basketball player, who spent seven years in the NBA with four different teams, now finds himself in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, competing at the Olympics in a different sport entirely. Budinger is a professional beach volleyball player these days, and alongside Team USA partner Miles Evans, is hoping for a deep run at the Games in Paris. “It’s been great, it’s been really fun,” Budinger told reporters about his Olympic experience to date. “It’s been amazing to have so much support at each and every game, playing underneath the Eiffel Tower – this atmosphere is electric. “I’m just trying to take it all in day by day and really enjoy this whole experience and moment because our journey getting here was such a long and gruesome and tough route.” As of now, the pair are down but not out of the men’s beach volleyball competition at the Paris Olympics. A straight-sets defeat against Spain on Friday sees them finish third in the group and now hoping to progress as a top third-placed team or via a “lucky loser” match.