Former NBA forward Chase Budinger makes USA beach volleyball team for Paris Olympics

The former NBA player will now have a chance to bring home a gold medal

We rarely get to see athletes cross over into Olympic sports and do well. Seattle Seahawks star WR DK Metcalf attempted to qualify in the 100M dash, but didn’t make it with a 10.36 time. We have seen former NFL wide receiver Devon Allen make the Olympic track and field team, so it’s not too far out of the equation. On Wednesday, a former NBA player was named to the United States’ 2024 Paris Olympics team in a totally different sport.

Former Houston Rockets wing Chase Budinger has been selected for the Olympic team in beach volleyball. Budinger and teammate Miles Evans will be competing for the gold medal in Paris at the 2024 Olympics. Watch Budinger react to being named to the Olympic team here. There’s pure joy in this video.

Budinger was a standout in both volleyball and basketball when he graduated high school in California in 2006. He chose to play hoops, where he was named a McDonald’s All-American, five-star recruit, and committed to Arizona. After three seasons, Budinger entered the 2009 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round.

Budinger retired from professional basketball in 2017 and since then has played beach volleyball professionally since then on the AVP tour. In high school, Budinger was a fantastic beach volleyball player, named the National player of the year in 2006 and named MVP of the Junior Olympic volleyball tournament as well.

Budinger used to throw down some big dunks in the NBA. Now he’s using that leaping ability for Team USA in beach volleyball.

Budinger will get to show off his volleyball skills in Paris this summer, and hopefully bring back a gold medal.