Justin Champagnie Explained

Justin Champagnie
Position:Small forward / shooting guard
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:206
League:NBA
Team:Washington Wizards
Number:9
Birth Date:29 June 2001
Birth Place:Staten Island, New York, U.S.
High School:Bishop Loughlin
(Brooklyn, New York)
College:Pittsburgh (2019–2021)
Draft Year:2021
Career Start:2021
Years1:
Team1:Toronto Raptors
Years2:20212022
Team2:Raptors 905
Years3:2023
Team3:Sioux Falls Skyforce
Team4:Boston Celtics
Years5:2023–2024
Team5:Sioux Falls Skyforce
Years6:–present
Team6:Washington Wizards
Years7:2024–present
Team7:Capital City Go-Go
Highlights:

Justin John Champagnie (; born June 29, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Early life and high school career

Champagnie was born in Staten Island, New York and grew up in Brooklyn, New York and attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. As a senior, he averaged 19.8 points per game and was named first team Class AA All-State. A three-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Pittsburgh over offers from Cincinnati, Dayton, Seton Hall, Saint Louis and Rutgers.[1]

College career

As a true freshman, Champagnie led the Panthers with 12.7 points and 7 rebounds per game.[2] [3] He was named the CBS Sports/USBWA National Freshman of the Week and the ACC Freshman of the Week after averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds in games against Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.[4] [5] On December 22, 2020, Champagnie was ruled out for at least six weeks after sustaining a knee injury during practice.[6] On January 19, 2021, he recorded 31 points and 14 rebounds in a 79–73 win over Duke.[7] At the conclusion of the regular season, Champagnie was selected to the First Team All-ACC. As a sophomore, Champagnie averaged 18 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[8]

Professional career

Toronto Raptors / Raptors 905 (2021–2022)

Champagnie was projected as a late first round pick to an early second round pick in the 2021 NBA draft. After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Champagnie signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on August 7, 2021, splitting time with their G League affiliate, Raptors 905.[9] With Scottie Barnes injured and unable to play,[10] Champagnie was called by the Raptors to make his professional debut on November 1, 2021, scoring his first two points in the NBA on free throws in a win against the New York Knicks.[11]

On July 14, 2022, Champagnie re-signed with the Raptors on a two-year contract.[12] [13] On December 29, he was waived by the Raptors.[14]

Sioux Falls Skyforce (2023)

On January 10, 2023, Champagnie was claimed off waivers by the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League.[15]

Boston Celtics (2023)

On April 7, 2023, Champagnie signed with the Boston Celtics.[16] On July 31, he was waived by the Celtics.[17]

Return to Sioux Falls (2023–2024)

On August 11, 2023, Champagnie signed with the Miami Heat,[18] but was waived on October 21, prior to the start of the 2023–24 season.[19] Nine days later, he returned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.[20]

Washington Wizards / Capital City Go-Go (2024–present)

On February 22, 2024, Champagnie signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards[21] and on March 3, he signed a two-way contract.[22]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Toronto| 36 || 0 || 7.8 || .463 || .357 || 1.000 || 2.0 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 2.3|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Toronto| 3 || 0 || 3.6 || 1.000 || || || 1.3 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 2.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Boston| 2 || 0 || 11.7 || .167 || .200 || || 2.0 || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || 2.5|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Washington| 15 || 1 || 15.7 || .410 || .289 || .800 || 3.5 || 1.3 || .7 || .6 || 5.9|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 56 || 1 || 9.8 || .425 || .308 || .875 || 2.4 || .6 || .3 || .2 || 3.2

Playoffs

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2023| style="text-align:left;"| Boston| 4 || 0 || 2.6 || .250 || .000 || || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .5|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 4 || 0 || 2.6 || .250 || .000 || || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .5

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh| 33 || 27 || 32.9 || .421 || .262 || .777 || 7.0 || .7 || 1.1 || .8 || 12.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh| 20 || 19 || 34.4 || .477 || .311 || .711 || 11.1 || 1.6 || 1.2 || 1.3 || 18.0|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 53 || 46 || 33.4 || .446 || .280 || .745 || 8.5 || 1.0 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 14.7

Personal life

Champagnie's twin brother, Julian, plays professional basketball for the San Antonio Spurs.[23] His father, Ranford, played soccer for St. John's in the mid-1990s and was a member of the 1996 national championship team.[24]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pitt signs 4-star wing player to letter of intent. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. April 18, 2019.
  2. Web site: 2020 Pitt basketball exit interview: Justin Champagnie. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 15, 2020. December 25, 2020.
  3. Web site: Pitt's Champagnie faces second year challenge. 24 November 2020 . December 25, 2020.
  4. Web site: Freshman rankings: Pitt's Justin Champagnie is Freshman of the Week; teams slumping with Frosh Watch stars. Matt. Norlander. CBSSports.com. February 11, 2020. December 25, 2020.
  5. Web site: Justin Champagnie blossoming into Pitt's latest freshman star. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 12, 2020. December 25, 2020.
  6. News: Borzello . Jeff . Pittsburgh Panthers leading scorer Justin Champagnie out 6-8 weeks . December 25, 2020 . . . December 22, 2020.
  7. Web site: Rego . Max . Champagnie Showers: Pittsburgh upsets Duke men's basketball behind Justin Champagnie's dominance . . January 20, 2021 . January 19, 2021.
  8. News: DiPaola . Jerry . Justin Champagnie decides to leave Pitt, declare for the NBA Draft . July 2, 2021 . . May 10, 2021.
  9. Web site: Raptors Sign Wainright & Champagnie. NBA.com. August 7, 2021. August 7, 2021.
  10. News: Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes out for Monday's game against Knicks . 4 November 2021 . Sportsnet.ca . 1 November 2021 . en.
  11. News: Michalowski . George . Justin Champagnie Scores First NBA Points in Raptors' Win Over Knicks . 4 November 2021 . Pittsburgh Sports Now . 2 November 2021.
  12. Web site: RAPTORS SIGN CHAMPAGNIE . 2022-07-14 . NBA.com . en.
  13. Web site: Rose . Aaron . Raptors Sign Justin Champagnie to Two-Year, Partially Guaranteed Deal . 2022-07-14 . Sports Illustrated Toronto Raptors News, Analysis and More . 14 July 2022 . en.
  14. Web site: Raptors waive Justin Champagnie . December 29, 2022 . Inside Hoops. 29 December 2022 .
  15. Web site: Skyforce acquires Justin Champagnie. NBA.com. January 12, 2023. January 12, 2023.
  16. Web site: Celtics Sign Forward Justin Champagnie. NBA.com. April 7, 2023. April 7, 2023.
  17. Web site: Dana. Gauruder. Celtics Waive Justin Champagnie. HoopsRumors.com. August 1, 2023. August 6, 2023.
  18. Web site: HEAT MAKE ROSTER MOVES. NBA.com. August 11, 2023. August 12, 2023.
  19. Web site: HEAT WAIVE CHAMPAGNIE AND DIALLO. NBA.com. October 21, 2023. October 21, 2023.
  20. Web site: Skyforce Announces Training Camp Roster Ahead of 2023-24 Season. NBA.com. October 30, 2023. January 28, 2024.
  21. Web site: Wizards Sign Justin Champagnie to 10-Day Contract. NBA.com. February 22, 2024. February 22, 2024.
  22. Web site: Wizards Sign Champagnie to Two-Way Contract/Sign Hampton to 10-Day Contract. NBA.com. March 3, 2024. March 3, 2024.
  23. Web site: Justin and Julian Champagnie find success apart for first time. Zach. Braziller. New York Post. February 5, 2020.
  24. Web site: Rose . Mike . NYC's Champagnie to play for Anderson at St. John's . . January 20, 2021 . June 3, 2019.