Chase Budinger’s path from NBA to Olympics volleyball: Inside former Slam Dunk contestant’s Team USA journey to Paris | Sporting News

You might remember Chase Budinger for his seven-year career in the NBA or his one appearance in the Slam Dunk Contest.

Where is he now? Getting ready to represent the United States at the Paris Olympics … for beach volleyball.

After seven NBA seasons, Budinger played one year in Spain’s Liga ACB before hanging up his sneakers. He retired from pro basketball in 2017 to pursue a career in beach volleyball. 

How did Budinger go from the NBA to the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team? The Sporting News breaks down his path below.

MORE: Latest news and rumors on the NBA’s upcoming TV deal

Chase Budinger’s path from NBA to professional volleyball

Budinger’s leap from the NBA to volleyball shouldn’t be too surprising.

The 36-year-old was once a volleyball superstar at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif. He led his team to three state championships and was named National Player of the Year as a senior by Volleyball Magazine.

Budinger went on to play basketball at the University of Arizona and enjoyed an eight-year career as a professional between the NBA and overseas. He retired from hoops in 2017 to pursue a career in professional beach volleyball.

With his nod for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics, it’s safe to say he saw that dream through.

Budinger has been playing on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tour since 2018. He was AVP Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year in 2018. He earned his first AVP title in 2019.

At 6-7 with a reported 47-inch vertical — which he showed off in the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest — it’s easy to believe Budinger made the switch from basketball to beach volleyball look fairly easy.

MORE: Projecting USA Olympic gymnastics team for Paris 2024

Chase Budinger NBA career

Budinger was a star at the University of Arizona, earning two All-Pac-10 honors and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He averaged 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game over his three-year career while shooting 38.3 percent from 3.

His size (6-7), leaping athleticism and promising jump shot got him selected by the Pistons in the second round (No. 44 overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft.

After being traded to the Rockets on draft night, Budinger spent the first three seasons of his NBA career in Houston. He was an every-game rotation player for the Rockets from 2009-12, then was traded to the Timberwolves in the 2012 offseason for a first-round draft pick.

Budinger played three seasons with Minnesota from 2012-15 but his playing time wasn’t as consistent as it was in Houston. He was traded to the Pacers in the 2015 offseason and was waived by Indiana midway through the 2015-16 season.

Budinger bounced around after that. He landed a deal with the Suns for the remainder of the 2015-16 season, then signed with the Nets in the 2016 offseason. When he didn’t make the Nets’ 2016-17 roster, he elected to take his talents overseas.

Budinger played one season for Baskonia of Spain’s Liga ACB in 2016-17, then retired from basketball to pursue pro volleyball.

MORE: Projecting Team USA Olympic women’s basketball roster

Chase Budinger NBA stats

Budinger averaged 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 407 career NBA games. You can find his stats from his seven-year career below.