Julian Champagnie Bio
Julian Kymani Champagnie is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on June 29, 2001, in Staten Island, New York, he plays the power forward position and wears jersey No. 30. Standing 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and listed at 217 lb (98 kg), Champagnie has emerged as a sharp-shooting rotation piece for the Spurs after beginning his career as an undrafted free agent.
He played college basketball for the St. John’s Red Storm, where he became a two-time first-team All-Big East selection and led the conference in scoring during the 2020–21 season. His path from undrafted rookie to a player who set a San Antonio franchise three-point record reflects steady development on both ends of the floor.
Early Life and Background
Julian Kymani Champagnie was born in Staten Island, New York, and grew up in Brooklyn, where he was raised in the Kensington neighborhood. His mother’s family is from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and his father, Ranford, grew up in the Bronx after immigrating from Jamaica. The family is of Jamaican descent, giving Champagnie a multi-generational New York City upbringing that shaped his early connection to the game.
Champagnie attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, where he played alongside his identical twin brother, Justin, who is also a professional basketball player. As a junior, he averaged 15 points and earned Third Team All-Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) AA honors. As a senior, he raised his production to 17.2 points per game and was named First Team All-CHSAA AA.
Ranford Champagnie played soccer for St. John’s University in the mid-1990s and was a member of the 1996 national championship team. He later became a professional soccer coach, working with the men’s programs at Baruch College and York College. Julian committed to playing college basketball at St. John’s over offers from Pittsburgh, Washington State, Cincinnati, and Seton Hall.
Path to Basketball
Champagnie’s high school résumé at Bishop Loughlin caught the attention of several college programs, but he chose to remain in New York and join the St. John’s Red Storm. His decision allowed him to continue developing in a familiar environment while representing a program with deep local roots. The combination of family ties to St. John’s, where his father had starred in soccer, made the choice a natural one.
His path to professional basketball accelerated during his freshman season at St. John’s, when he posted a 23-point, six-rebound performance against Butler on March 4, 2020, and followed it three days later with a 21-point, 12-rebound outing in a win over Marquette. He finished his freshman year averaging 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, earning All-Freshman Team honors and two Big East Freshman of the Week selections.
As a sophomore, Champagnie’s role expanded dramatically. He opened the season with 29 points and 10 rebounds against Boston College on November 30, 2020, and later scored 33 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to seventh-ranked Creighton, recording the first 30-point double-double by a St. John’s player since D’Angelo Harrison in 2015. He averaged 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 block per game and was named Big East Co-Most Improved Player.
Julian Champagnie Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Julian Kymani Champagnie’s college career at St. John’s spanned three seasons and established him as one of the top scorers in the Big East Conference. After his sophomore year, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, but withdrew on July 4, 2021, returning for his junior season. He scored a career-high 34 points in an 89–84 win over DePaul on January 5, 2022, and averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks as a junior, earning First Team All-Big East honors for the second consecutive year.
On April 2, 2022, Champagnie declared for the 2022 NBA draft and forwent his remaining college eligibility. He went undrafted, closing a college career that included two First Team All-Big East selections, a Big East Co-Most Improved Player award, and an All-Freshman Team nod. His versatility as a scoring forward with rebounding and defensive instincts positioned him as an intriguing free-agent prospect.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2022–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Julian Kymani Champagnie signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on June 24, 2022, splitting time between Philadelphia and their NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. The two-way arrangement gave him a chance to develop his game against professional competition while remaining affiliated with an NBA roster.
Champagnie made two appearances for the 76ers during his rookie campaign, recording one steal and no points. He spent the bulk of his time with the Delaware Blue Coats, where he continued refining his perimeter shooting and defensive reads. On February 14, 2023, the 76ers waived him, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
San Antonio / Austin Spurs Era (2023–Present)
On February 16, 2023, the San Antonio Spurs claimed Julian Kymani Champagnie off waivers and signed him to a two-way contract, also assigning time to the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. The move gave him a fresh opportunity within an organization known for developing young talent. He re-signed with San Antonio on July 6, 2023, transitioning from a two-way deal to a longer-term commitment.
Champagnie appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while serving as a reliable perimeter threat. On February 10, 2025, he played against his twin brother Justin of the Washington Wizards, joining a small group of twins who have faced each other in an NBA game. On December 31, 2025, he scored a career-high 36 points off 11 made three-pointers in a victory over the New York Knicks, setting a Spurs single-game franchise record for made three-pointers.
He finished the 2025–26 regular season with 195 made three-pointers, the most in a single season in Spurs franchise history. Champagnie helped San Antonio reach the 2026 NBA Finals, cementing his place as a core rotation player.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although his craft plays out on a basketball court rather than a racetrack, Julian Kymani Champagnie’s strengths mirror those of a polished perimeter shooter with a high basketball IQ. His ability to space the floor, attack closeouts, and contribute on the boards makes him a versatile forward. Within the Spurs’ system, he has built a steady rhythm alongside the team’s young core, thriving as a movement shooter and secondary scorer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Champagnie’s signature moments include his 33-point double-double against Creighton in 2021, his career-high 34-point game against DePaul in 2022, and his record-setting 11-three-pointer performance against the New York Knicks on December 31, 2025. He also helped San Antonio reach the 2026 NBA Finals, a milestone that highlighted his growth from undrafted prospect to rotation mainstay on a contending team.
Julian Champagnie Career Wins
Julian Kymani Champagnie’s career achievements span the college and professional ranks. He earned two First Team All-Big East selections with St. John’s in 2021 and 2022, along with Big East Co-Most Improved Player honors in 2021 and an All-Freshman Team nod in 2020. At the professional level, he has built his résumé with franchise-record shooting performances rather than championship trophies at this stage of his career.
St. John’s Highlights
During his three seasons with the St. John’s Red Storm, Julian Kymani Champagnie developed into one of the Big East’s premier scorers. He posted a career-high 34 points against DePaul on January 5, 2022, and recorded multiple 30-point double-doubles, including a 33-point, 10-rebound game against Creighton on January 9, 2021. His two First Team All-Big East selections and Big East Co-Most Improved Player award underscored his rapid rise.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college résumé, Julian Kymani Champagnie has posted notable performances in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats and Austin Spurs, where he continued refining his perimeter game. His most recent milestone came on December 31, 2025, when his 11 made three-pointers against the New York Knicks set a single-game franchise record for the San Antonio Spurs.
Julian Champagnie Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Julian Kymani Champagnie comes from a multi-generational New York City family with deep ties to athletics. His father, Ranford, played soccer at St. John’s University in the mid-1990s and was part of the 1996 national championship team before becoming a professional soccer coach at Baruch College and York College. His mother’s family is from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, while his father grew up in the Bronx after immigrating from Jamaica.
Personal Life
Champagnie’s identical twin brother, Justin Champagnie, plays professional basketball for the Washington Wizards. The two played together at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn before pursuing separate collegiate and professional paths. On February 10, 2025, the brothers faced each other in an NBA game for the first time, joining a small group of twins who have played against one another at the league’s highest level.
2025 Season Performance
Julian Kymani Champagnie’s 2025 calendar year was defined by historic shooting performances and a meaningful family milestone. On February 10, 2025, he faced his twin brother Justin in an NBA matchup between the Spurs and Wizards, a rare occurrence in league history. He then appeared in all 82 games during the 2024–25 season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while establishing himself as a dependable rotation piece.
The early portion of the 2025–26 season produced his most dramatic highlight yet. On December 31, 2025, Champagnie erupted for a career-high 36 points and hit 11 three-pointers against the New York Knicks, breaking the Spurs’ single-game franchise record for made three-pointers. He carried that momentum through the rest of the regular season, finishing with 195 made three-pointers, the highest single-season total in Spurs history.
Champagnie’s perimeter shooting proved central to San Antonio’s push deep into the postseason, helping the Spurs reach the 2026 NBA Finals. His role within the team’s young core, combined with his record-setting efficiency from beyond the arc, positioned him as one of the breakout performers of the 2025–26 campaign.
