While the San Antonio Spurs have undeniably built their future around the prodigious talent of Victor Wembanyama, a championship aspiration requires more than a singular superstar. The team has strategically assembled a promising young core, bolstered by high lottery selections like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. However, one of their most impactful contributors this season, Julian Champagnie, initially flew under the radar, not even being a draft selection.
Champagnie has emerged as a crucial offensive force for the Spurs throughout these playoffs, consistently providing sparks when his team needs them most. This was particularly evident in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, where he ignited the offence by hitting his first five three-point attempts. He finished that pivotal game with an impressive 20 points, playing a significant role in his team’s crucial victory.
Who is Julian Champagnie?
Champagnie’s basketball journey began in the competitive New York City basketball scene. Born on Staten Island, he honed his skills at Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn. Despite putting up strong numbers for some less successful St. John’s teams, Champagnie went undrafted following his collegiate career. His initial foray into the professional ranks didn’t land him in San Antonio.
Instead, the Philadelphia 76ers signed Champagnie to a two-way contract after the 2022 NBA Draft. His time with the Sixers was brief, appearing in only two games before being waived to make roster space for Mac McClung, who was brought in for the Slam Dunk Contest.
Just two days later, the Spurs, then deep in a rebuilding phase and fixated on securing the top draft pick that would become Wembanyama, brought Champagnie into the fold. He was given an opportunity to play during a period when playoff contention was a distant dream. Champagnie seized this chance, working his way onto the 2023-24 roster. Since then, he has developed in tandem with Wembanyama and the rest of San Antonio’s emerging talent, contributing to the franchise’s surprisingly rapid ascent into legitimate championship contention.
This past season, Champagnie established himself as a consistent starter, appearing in 68 of the team’s 82 games. He achieved a career-high in scoring, averaging 11.1 points per game. Notably, he has maintained an impressive streak of not missing a single game over his last two seasons, showcasing remarkable durability.
College Career at St. John’s
Champagnie spent three seasons playing for St. John’s University under coach Mike Anderson. As a sophomore, he showcased his offensive prowess, averaging an impressive 19.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Following this standout season, he opted to withdraw from the NBA Draft to return for his junior year. In his final collegiate season (2021-22), he continued his strong performance, averaging 19.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Despite Champagnie’s individual offensive success, the St. John’s Red Storm were unable to reach the NCAA Tournament during his tenure with the program.
The Champagnie Basketball Dynasty: Brothers in the NBA
Julian is not the only Champagnie making waves in the NBA; he shares a twin brother, Justin, who has also forged a successful professional career despite also going undrafted.
Justin initially joined the Toronto Raptors but has since found a solid footing with the Washington Wizards. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, consistently playing over 20 minutes per night.
Justin’s collegiate path differed from Julian’s, as he played his college ball at Pittsburgh. He entered the NBA after averaging a dominant 18.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during his sophomore season. The brothers represent a unique story of two undrafted twins carving out significant roles in the league.
Julian Champagnie’s NBA Statistics
Here’s a look at Julian Champagnie’s career statistics, highlighting his development and impact:
| Season | Team | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3pt% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | PHI/SAS | 17 | 9.7 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 45.4% | 40.2% |
| 2023-24 | Spurs | 74 | 6.8 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 40.8% | 36.5% |
| 2024-25 | Spurs | 82 | 9.9 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 41.5% | 37.1% |
| 2025-26 | Spurs | 82 | 11.1 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 43.7% | 38.1% |
| Career | 255 | 9.4 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 42.4% | 37.5% |
In the 2025-26 season, Champagnie reached new career highs across the board, averaging 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. This marked his second consecutive season playing all 82 games, underscoring his reliability and increasing importance to the Spurs’ success. Furthermore, his three-point shooting proficiency also saw an uptick, consistently shooting better than 38 percent from beyond the arc. His continued growth suggests he will remain a vital piece of the Spurs’ championship puzzle for years to come.
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