Chase Budinger spent seven seasons in the NBA as a small forward with the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns before trading in his basketball for something different but very familiar: a volleyball.
The former NBA Slam Dunk Contest participant was named National Player of the Year in 2005 by Volleyball Magazine and helped lead his high school to three state championships, but ultimately decided to pursue basketball at the University of Arizona.
In 2024, Budinger went all in on Olympic beach volleyball. He and his partner Miles Evans made it to the lucky loser stage of the Paris Olympics, before being ousted by the Norwegians.
Here's a look at Budinger's career stats and key accomplishments.
Basketball
Averaged 17 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists at University of Arizona
Finished college career ranked 11th on University of Arizona's career points scored list
Co-MVP with Kevin Durant at the 2006 McDonald's All American Game
Drafted 44th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons
Averaged 7.9 points, 3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 407 NBA games
Played one season with Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz in Spain in 2016-17
Volleyball
2024 NORCECA Continental Tour Final - Gold with Miles Evans
2023 BPT Chiang Mai Challenge - Bronze with Miles Evans
2023 BPT Haikou Challenge - Gold with Miles Evans
2023 BPT Saquarema Challenge - Silver with Miles Evans
2022 BPT Maldives Challenge - Silver with Troy Field
2021 FIVB Rubavu - Silver with Troy Field
2021 AVP Atlanta and Chicago - Gold with Casey Patterson
First athlete to play NBA regular season game and Olympic beach volleyball
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