Chase Budinger

Chase grew up playing both basketball and volleyball before ultimately choosing to focus on basketball at the University of Arizona. He went on to play seven seasons in the NBA with the Rockets, Timberwolves, Pacers, and Suns, and famously competed in the 2012 NBA Dunk Contest. After a brief professional stint in Spain, Chase retired from basketball and transitioned fully to beach volleyball.

Chase made his AVP debut in 2018 alongside Sean Rosenthal, earning AVP Rookie of the Year honors, and followed it with a breakout 2019 season playing with Casey Patterson, where he captured his first AVP title in Hermosa Beach. He was also named AVP Most Improved Player in 2018. In 2024, Chase and partner Miles Evans became Olympians and went on to win the inaugural AVP League Championship with the San Diego Smash. The Duo continues to compete together for the Smash in the AVP League.

Off the court, Chase is supported by his wife, who is known as one of the best hecklers in the sport, along with their children, Beckham and Blake. One of his favorite memories remains winning his first Hermosa Beach title in front of friends and family, later celebrating at Waterman’s on the pier with his skateboard in hand as “We Are the Champions” played.