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Chase Budinger becomes first NBA player to join Olympic beach volleyball

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 8, 2026, 7:47 PM

Last updated Jun 8, 2026

Chase Budinger becomes first NBA player to join Olympic beach volleyball

Summary

Chase Budinger, after a seven-year NBA career, has made history as the first player to compete in Olympic beach volleyball. He participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics, showcasing his dual-sport athleticism. Budinger credits his work ethic and background in both sports for his success and reflects on the significant challenges faced while switching from basketball to beach volleyball. His team secured a spot in the Olympics after other teams faltered in qualifying events.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Budinger played in the 2024 Paris Olympics beach volleyball competition.
•He was the first former NBA player to compete in Olympic beach volleyball.
•His team qualified for the Olympics following another American team's loss.
•Budinger has a longstanding background in both basketball and volleyball.
•He faced unique challenges adapting to the conditions of beach volleyball.

Latest Updates

7:47 PMYahoo Sports — From NBA Courts to Olympic Volleyball Sand: Inside Chase Budinger's Surprise Second Act in Sports (Exclusive)

What they're saying

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After seven years in the NBA, Budinger went to the Olympics for a completely different sport, crediting his work ethic for finding success in both basketball and beach volleyball
— Yahoo Sports

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