Chase Budinger returns to volleyball

Five years ago, as a high-schooler, Chase Budinger was voted the best volleyball player in the nation. YouTube still sings of his legendary play for La Costa Canyon. But when he went to Arizona for college, basketball became his sole focus. Once drafted into the NBA, the Rockets forward operated under a contract that forbade him to play another professional sport.

But in a lockout, he's free to pursue the life his brother leads, as a professional volleyball player.

He's giving it a whirl this weekend, returning to his volleyball roots at the Corona Light Wide Open beach tournament in Hermosa Beach.

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Kevin Love kind of threw his hat into the volleyball ring this summer. Is that what brought you out of volleyball retirement?

No! Not at all. You know, I've been trying to talk to guys and actually play beach volleyball professionally. My brother [Duncan Budinger] has been playing professionally, he's on the tour, and he has been trying to get me out there. I was definitely planning on already playing. With him going out there I see more motivation to get out there as well. I'm happy that I was able to jump on this Corona Light tournament this upcoming weekend.

Who will you be playing with?

I am playing with a guy named Dane Jensen. He's a local player down in San Diego. He's a very very good player, so I think we can do pretty well. We're going to be very competitive. We both can play. The main thing is just getting used to playing with each other, trying to get that feel for each other. All the other teams have been playing a couple tournaments, so this will be our first one now. That's the tough part, getting out there the first time with someone new.