Former NBA player Chase Budinger made a memorable Olympic beach volleyball debut, triumphing alongside partner Miles Evans as they defeated host nation France in straight sets in their opening match at the Paris beach volleyball tournament.

Budinger, who played in the NBA for seven years, reflected on his career change and how he used his experience in front of big basketball crowds to stay calm. Despite initial nerves, Budinger helped secure a 21-14, 21-11 victory. He mused on his nerve-wracking first NBA game and how his nerves didn’t affect his performance this time around.

“It took me six years to achieve this goal, and there is no better feeling,” Budinger noted. The American duo never trailed in the first set and came back from an early deficit in the second set to decide the match in just 32 minutes.

In other matches, the US’s Nuss and Kloth defeated Australia, while France swept the German team. Qatar’s men’s team also claimed a victory against Sweden, maintaining their strong pool play record.

(With input from agencies.)