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Chase Budinger: 5 facts about Team USA's new volleyball star who was once of the NBA's best dunkers

Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Portrait of Chase Budinger taken on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-884860 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Portrait of Chase Budinger taken on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-884860 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

For the Paris Olympics this summer, For The Win is helping you get to know some of the star Olympians competing on the world’s biggest stage. We're highlighting 15 Team USA athletes in the 15 days leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Up next is Chase Budinger Olympians from the NFL

1. Chase Budinger had a lengthy NBA career

Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Portrait of Chase Budinger taken on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-884860 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Portrait of Chase Budinger taken on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-884860 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

NBA career from 2009 to 2016

2. He was a McDonald's All-American

Arizona's Chase Budinger throws down a break away dunk against University of Louisville in the 1st half in the NCAA Men's Midwest Regional semi final in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, March 27, 2009.JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/Detroit Free Press ORG XMIT: (Via OlyDrop)
Arizona's Chase Budinger throws down a break away dunk against University of Louisville in the 1st half in the NCAA Men's Midwest Regional semi final in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, March 27, 2009.JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/Detroit Free Press ORG XMIT: (Via OlyDrop)

nation for the class of 2006 by Rivals.com. named the Pac-10 Rookie of the Year.

3. He was a volleyball star, too

Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Chase Budinger spikes the ball during a morning training session at Hermosa Beach, Calif. on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-884860 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Jun 19, 2024; Hermosa Beach, Calif., USA: Chase Budinger spikes the ball during a morning training session at Hermosa Beach, Calif. on Jue 19, 2024. Budinger is a former collegiate and NBA basketball player who has made the Olympic Beach Volleyball Team. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-884860 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Volleyball Magazine USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza Hall of Honor for the West Coast Conference told the Indianapolis Star

4. He's an elite dunker

5. Budinger and Team USA will play in late July

preliminary round matchup against Argentina

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Chase Budinger: 5 facts about Team USA's new volleyball star who was once of the NBA's best dunkers