Who Is Julian Champagnie?
Julian Champagnie is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.
Born on June 29, 2001, in New York, Champagnie attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School before starring at St. John’s University. He went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft but earned opportunities with the Philadelphia 76ers and later the Spurs, where he found his NBA home.
His development from an overlooked prospect into a dependable NBA rotation player has made him one of the league’s notable success stories among undrafted players.
How Old Is Julian Champagnie?
Julian Champagnie was born on June 29, 2001, making him 24 years old during the 2025-26 NBA season. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs approximately 217 pounds, giving him excellent size for a wing player in today’s NBA.
At just 24 years old, Champagnie is entering what many analysts consider the beginning of a player’s prime years, suggesting his best basketball may still be ahead of him.
Julian Champagnie NBA Journey
Champagnie’s path to the NBA was far from traditional.
After completing his collegiate career at St. John’s, he entered the 2022 NBA Draft but was not selected. He initially joined the Philadelphia 76ers organization before being claimed by San Antonio in 2023.
The Spurs quickly recognized his value as a floor-spacing wing capable of defending multiple positions. Over time, he earned a larger role within the rotation and became one of the team’s most dependable contributors.
His rise exemplifies the Spurs’ reputation for developing overlooked talent into impactful NBA players.
Julian Champagnie Stats (2025-26 Season)
Champagnie delivered the best season of his NBA career during the 2025-26 campaign.
2025-26 Regular Season Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 11.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.8 |
| Assists Per Game | 1.5 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 43.7% |
| Three-Point Percentage | 38.1% |
| Free Throw Percentage | 84.4% |
These numbers demonstrate his effectiveness as a complementary scorer and reliable three-point shooter. His near 38% accuracy from beyond the arc makes him a valuable floor spacer around San Antonio’s star players.
Career NBA Stats
Across his NBA career, Champagnie has averaged:
- 9.3 points per game
- 4.0 rebounds per game
- 1.4 assists per game
- 37.8% from three-point range
These statistics reflect consistent growth since entering the league.
Julian Champagnie vs Knicks
The New York Knicks have become a frequent talking point in Champagnie’s career, partly because he is a New York native and partly because of several memorable performances against them.
During the 2026 NBA Finals between the Spurs and Knicks, Champagnie played a significant role in San Antonio’s offense. In Game 1, he scored 16 points, including five three-pointers in the first half, helping the Spurs build an early lead before New York rallied for the win.
His ability to stretch the floor proved critical throughout the playoffs.
Historic Performance Against New York
One of Champagnie’s most notable achievements came against the Knicks when he scored 36 points without attempting a single two-point field goal, setting a remarkable NBA scoring record. The performance highlighted his elite perimeter shooting ability and drew significant attention from basketball fans.
As a Brooklyn-raised player, strong performances against New York often carry additional significance for Champagnie.
College Career at St. John’s
Before reaching the NBA, Champagnie built his reputation as one of the best players in the Big East Conference.
Playing for the St. John’s Red Storm from 2019 to 2022, he steadily improved each season and became one of the nation’s top scoring forwards.
Freshman Season (2019-20)
Champagnie earned Big East All-Freshman Team honors and quickly established himself as a key contributor.
His rebounding ability and energy stood out immediately, even against older and more experienced opponents.
Sophomore Season (2020-21)
This was the year Champagnie truly broke out.
He emerged as one of the conference’s premier scorers while earning:
- First-Team All-Big East
- Big East Co-Most Improved Player
His combination of scoring, rebounding, and shot creation attracted NBA attention.
Junior Season (2021-22)
Champagnie continued his dominance and once again earned First-Team All-Big East recognition.
Despite facing increased defensive attention, he remained one of the most productive forwards in college basketball.
Julian Champagnie College Stats
Champagnie’s college statistics demonstrate why he was considered one of the best players in the Big East.
Career College Numbers
Across three seasons at St. John’s, he averaged approximately:
- 17+ points per game
- 7+ rebounds per game
- Strong three-point shooting percentages
- Consistent double-double production
His versatility allowed him to impact games as both a scorer and rebounder.
Best Statistical Season
During the 2020-21 season, Champagnie averaged over 19 points and 7 rebounds per game while emerging as one of the conference’s elite players.
NBA scouts praised:
- Shot-making ability
- Basketball IQ
- Defensive versatility
- Rebounding from the wing position
Those strengths remain visible in his NBA game today.
Playing Style
Champagnie’s skill set fits perfectly within the modern NBA.
Strengths
Three-Point Shooting
His ability to knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities is perhaps his greatest offensive weapon.
The Spurs frequently use him as a floor spacer to create driving lanes for teammates and provide additional room for Victor Wembanyama to operate.
Defensive Versatility
At 6-foot-7 with good length, Champagnie can guard multiple positions.
His defensive effort and understanding of team schemes make him valuable even when his shot is not falling.
Rebounding
Few wings rebound as effectively as Champagnie.
His willingness to crash the boards provides extra possessions and helps the Spurs finish defensive possessions.
Areas for Improvement
While Champagnie has improved significantly, he can still develop:
- Ball-handling
- Playmaking
- Self-created offense
- Mid-range scoring
Continued growth in these areas could elevate him from role player to high-level starter.
Relationship with Twin Brother Justin Champagnie
One unique aspect of Julian’s story is his relationship with his identical twin brother, Justin Champagnie.
Both brothers reached the NBA despite being lightly recruited compared to many future professionals.
The Champagnie twins have often been compared throughout their careers, but each has carved out his own path and identity within professional basketball.
Their success story remains an inspiration for aspiring players.
Recent Success with the Spurs
The 2025-26 season marked a major milestone for Champagnie.
San Antonio reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, and Champagnie played a meaningful role throughout the playoff run. He contributed key shooting performances during the Western Conference Finals and continued providing valuable minutes against New York.
His playoff performances demonstrated that he can contribute on basketball’s biggest stage.
The Spurs’ coaching staff consistently praises his professionalism, consistency, and willingness to embrace any role necessary for team success.
Future Outlook
At only 24 years old, Julian Champagnie remains one of San Antonio’s most promising supporting players.
Several factors suggest continued improvement:
- Entering his athletic prime.
- Increasing confidence as a scorer.
- Growing experience in playoff basketball.
- Strong development environment in San Antonio.
If he continues improving his offensive creation skills while maintaining elite shooting efficiency, he could become one of the NBA’s most valuable wing players.
For a Spurs team built around Victor Wembanyama, players like Champagnie are essential to long-term championship aspirations.
Conclusion
Julian Champagnie’s rise from undrafted prospect to NBA Finals contributor is one of basketball’s most impressive development stories.
At 24 years old, the San Antonio Spurs forward has established himself as a reliable shooter, defender, and rebounder. His strong NBA stats, memorable performances against the Knicks, and outstanding college career at St. John’s highlight the journey of a player who has consistently exceeded expectations.
As San Antonio continues building around its young core, Champagnie appears poised to remain a crucial piece of the franchise’s future. His work ethic, versatility, and steady improvement suggest that the best chapters of his basketball career are still being written.
FAQs
How old is Julian Champagnie?
Julian Champagnie is 24 years old. He was born on June 29, 2001.
What team does Julian Champagnie play for?
He plays for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.
What college did Julian Champagnie attend?
Champagnie played college basketball at St. John’s University from 2019 to 2022.
What are Julian Champagnie’s 2025-26 stats?
He averaged approximately 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting over 38% from three-point range.
Is Julian Champagnie related to Justin Champagnie?
Yes. Julian and Justin Champagnie are identical twin brothers, and both have played professional basketball.
Did Julian Champagnie get drafted?
No. He went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft before eventually establishing himself in the NBA with the Spurs.
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