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Former NBA professional Chase Budinger qualifies for the Olympics in beach volleyball. A unique success in the history of sport.
Ostrava – Chase Budinger, a former professional basketball player in the NBA, has fulfilled a dream that was denied to him during his active basketball career: participating in the Olympic Games. The 36-year-old, who played for teams such as the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns over seven seasons, will not be on the basketball court in Paris. Instead, he will compete in the beach volleyball tournament, reports the dpa.
Born:22 May 1988 in Encinitas/CaliforniaHeight:201 cmWorld ranking (beach volleyball):Position 16 (as of May 1, 2024)
Former NBA professional qualifies for the Olympics in beach volleyball
Budinger has been playing beach volleyball successfully for several years and has now qualified for the Summer Games together with his partner Miles Evans. The two will be one of the two men’s teams representing the USA in France.
Particularly noteworthy: Chase Budinger is the first athlete to be represented in both the NBA and an Olympic beach volleyball tournament, which is a unique feature in sports history. Even NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson paid tribute to the now 36-year-old via X his respect: “Cheers to him for this incredible achievement!”
Budinger: 407 NBA games, then professional beach volleyball player
The road to qualification was not easy. Budinger and Evans ultimately benefited from the early elimination of a rival duo in a qualifying tournament and secured their place as the second best US team. Olympia-Ticket.
Budinger played volleyball in high school, but initially decided to pursue a career as a basketball player. In 2009, he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons NBA team, but was immediately traded to the Houston Rockets. During his career in the world’s most famous basketball league, the former small forward played in 407 games, averaging 7.9 rebounds. He set his career high of 30 points in a game in February 2011 in a match against Cleveland.
From star under the basket to ace at the net: Chase Budinger has successfully completed the transformation from NBA basketball player to Olympic beach volleyball player. © Photo left: IMAGO/Newscom World Photo right: IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
Beach volleyball: Pfretzschner and Winter still fighting for Olympic participation
Meanwhile, the USA’s “Dream Team 3.0” with stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry is preparing for the basketball tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The German champions Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler have also already secured their participation in the Olympic Games through their international rankings.
On the other hand, Lukas Pfretzschner and Sven Winter still have to survive the final Olympic qualifying tournament from June 13 to 16 in Jurmala, Latvia, to be sure of their participation. A maximum of two duos per nation are allowed to compete in beach volleyball at the Olympics. As the Olympic opening draws ever closer, Meanwhile, the final series in the NBA is already in full swing. (dpa/chnnn)
2024-06-14 04:33:10
#NBA #professional #qualifies #Olympics #beach #volleyball
