Justin Champagnie: Inspiring Rise From Undrafted to NBA

Introduction

Justin Champagnie is an American professional basketball player who represents the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association.

He is known for strong rebounding, energetic defence and the determination that helped him move from an undrafted prospect to a reliable NBA rotation player.

His journey includes college success at Pittsburgh, G League recognition and professional spells with Toronto, Boston and Washington.

Justin Champagnie Quick Bio

Field	Verified information
Full Name	Justin John Champagnie
Date of Birth	June 29, 2001
Age	24 years old as of June 24, 2026
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nationality	American
Gender	Male
Profession	Professional basketball player
Current Team	Washington Wizards
Jersey Number	9
Position	Guard-forward and small forward
Height	6 feet 6 inches
Weight	206 pounds
Shooting Hand	Right
College	University of Pittsburgh
High School	Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
NBA Draft	Undrafted in 2021
NBA Debut	October 22, 2021
Twin Brother	Julian Champagnie
Father	Ranford Champagnie
Mother	Christina Champagnie
Famous For	Rebounding, energy and his rise from the G League to the NBA

Who Is Justin Champagnie?

Justin John Champagnie is a 6-foot-6 basketball player who can operate as a shooting guard, small forward or smaller power forward.

He was born on June 29, 2001, in Brooklyn, New York. His surname is commonly pronounced “Sham-Penny.”

Champagnie became nationally recognised during his two college seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers.

He later entered the 2021 NBA Draft but was not selected. Instead of allowing that setback to end his career, he used two-way contracts and G League opportunities to earn a permanent place in the NBA.

Early Life and Brooklyn Childhood

Champagnie grew up in Brooklyn in a competitive sporting family.

Basketball became an important part of his childhood, especially because he shared the game with his identical twin brother, Julian Champagnie.

The brothers regularly trained and competed together. Their close competition helped develop Justin’s toughness, physical style and desire to improve.

His journey also shows the importance of mental discipline. The connection between decision-making, belief and performance is explored from a different perspective in the work of Leor Zmigrod.

New York basketball gave him experience against physical and confident players from an early age. That environment helped shape the energetic playing style later seen in college and professional basketball.

Parents, Twin Brother and Family Background

His parents are Ranford and Christina Champagnie.

Ranford was also a talented athlete. He played college soccer for St. John’s University and was part of the programme’s 1996 national championship team.

He later developed a coaching career in college soccer. His sporting experience gave Justin and Julian a parent who understood training, competition and the pressure faced by young athletes.

Justin’s identical twin, Julian Champagnie, also became a professional basketball player. Julian attended St. John’s University and later joined the San Antonio Spurs.

Justin is reported to be approximately seven minutes older than Julian.

The family also includes a younger brother named Jaylen. Public information about the wider family is limited because their profiles mainly focus on sport.

High School Basketball Career

Champagnie attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn.

During his senior year, he averaged approximately 19.8 points per game and helped Bishop Loughlin finish the season with a 23–4 record.

The team reached the 2019 CHSAA Class AA semifinals.

His individual performances brought several honours. He received first-team New York State Class AA recognition and second-team All-USA New York honours.

He was also named the Most Valuable Player at the Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic.

By the end of high school, he had attracted interest from major college basketball programmes, including Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. John’s.

Education at the University of Pittsburgh

Champagnie enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in 2019.

He became part of the Pittsburgh Panthers men’s basketball programme and studied through the university’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

His exact degree subject and graduation status have not been confirmed in official athletic records.

According to his official Pittsburgh Panthers profile, he quickly became one of the team’s most productive players.

Balancing university studies with elite-level sport requires planning and commitment. Similar themes of professional development and career strategy can be seen across many demanding fields.

Freshman Season at Pittsburgh

Champagnie played 33 games during the 2019–20 season and started 27 of them.

He averaged 12.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He also contributed with steals, blocked shots and outside shooting.

He became the first Pittsburgh freshman since Charles Smith in the 1984–85 season to lead the team in both scoring and rebounding.

His performances included 31 points against Wake Forest and 30 points against Georgia Tech.

He earned two ACC Freshman of the Week awards and was selected for the All-ACC Academic Team.

This season established him as more than a promising recruit. He had become Pittsburgh’s leading young player.

Breakthrough Sophomore Season

His second season became the major breakthrough of his college career.

Champagnie averaged 18.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during the 2020–21 campaign.

He was the only major-conference player in the country that season to average a points-and-rebounds double-double.

He also produced consecutive games with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds, an extremely rare achievement in modern college basketball.

One of his strongest performances came against Duke when he recorded 31 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots.

He earned First-Team All-ACC honours and Associated Press Honourable Mention All-America recognition.

Champagnie was also selected as a finalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.

His progress was built through the type of patience and persistence needed to turn natural ability into professional-level performance.

Decision to Enter the NBA Draft

In May 2021, Champagnie announced that he would enter the NBA Draft and hire a certified agent.

The decision ended his remaining college eligibility.

He participated in the NBA Draft Combine, where prospects complete physical measurements, shooting tests, athletic drills and competitive games.

Despite his strong college record, no team selected him in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Going undrafted was a major disappointment, but it also became an important turning point in his career.

Instead of giving up, he accepted a less secure route into professional basketball.

Toronto Raptors and NBA Debut

The Toronto Raptors signed Champagnie to a two-way contract after the draft.

A two-way deal allowed him to divide his time between the Toronto Raptors and their G League affiliate, Raptors 905.

He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2021.

His early role focused on rebounding, defensive pressure and bringing energy from the bench.

Toronto waived him in December 2022. The move left him without an NBA team and forced him to rebuild his career through the G League.

Sioux Falls Skyforce and Boston Celtics

Champagnie joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce in January 2023.

The move gave him regular playing time and a chance to show that he could contribute in several areas.

He averaged more than 18 points and eight rebounds during his first important Sioux Falls run.

The Boston Celtics signed him in April 2023. However, his opportunities were limited, and Boston waived him in July.

He then joined the Miami Heat for training camp but was released before the regular season.

Like former sportsman and broadcaster Vic Marks, Champagnie’s path shows that a sporting career can require adaptation when the original route changes.

G League Breakthrough

Returning to Sioux Falls proved to be one of the most important decisions of his career.

During the 2023–24 season, he developed into one of the G League’s strongest all-around performers.

Across his time with Sioux Falls and the Capital City Go-Go, he averaged 22.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in 24 regular-season games.

He was named NBA G League Player of the Month for February 2024.

He also earned a place on the All-NBA G League Second Team.

These performances showed that he could score, rebound, defend and contribute without needing the offence to be built around him.

Washington Wizards Career

The Washington Wizards signed Champagnie to a 10-day contract in February 2024.

His strong performance earned him a two-way contract in March.

He divided his time between the Wizards and Capital City Go-Go while continuing to improve his shooting and decision-making.

Washington later rewarded his development by signing him to a multi-year NBA contract in March 2025.

The deal represented a major career achievement for a player who had previously been undrafted, waived and forced to prove himself repeatedly.

The official NBA profile lists him as a Washington guard-forward wearing jersey number 9.

2024–25 NBA Season

Champagnie played 62 games during the 2024–25 regular season and started 31.

He averaged 8.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

He shot above 51% from the field and approximately 38% from three-point range.

Those numbers showed important development in his offensive game.

He was no longer only an energy rebounder. He had become a player who could finish efficiently, make open three-pointers and defend several positions.

He recorded multiple double-doubles and produced a career-high 27-point performance against the Miami Heat in April 2025.

2025–26 Season and Current Status

Champagnie remained with Washington during the 2025–26 season.

He played 69 games and made 19 starts.

He averaged 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting around 50% from the field.

His rebounding remained one of his most useful skills. Few players of his height attack missed shots with the same energy.

Washington used him in several roles depending on injuries, matchups and the development of younger players.

Strong teams need more than famous stars. They also need reliable professionals who understand responsibility, communication and leadership.

As of June 2026, he remains under contract with the Washington Wizards.

Playing Style and Main Strengths

Champagnie is best known for his rebounding.

He reads missed shots well and often reaches the ball before taller players. His timing, effort and physical strength make him especially effective on the offensive glass.

He is also useful in transition. He runs the court, finishes near the basket and creates extra possessions through hustle.

Defensively, he can guard wings and some forwards. His size allows him to switch between different opponents.

His three-point shooting has also improved since his college years.

He is not usually the main scorer, but he can contribute without needing many designed plays.

Work Ethic and Public Image

His public image is based on energy, confidence and toughness.

Coaches and teammates have regularly praised the effort he brings to games and training sessions.

He plays with visible emotion and is willing to compete for loose balls, rebounds and defensive possessions.

That approach has helped him survive a difficult professional path.

Many undrafted players receive only one brief opportunity. Champagnie continued working after being waived and used every G League assignment to strengthen his case.

Injuries and Career Challenges

One of his significant college injuries occurred in December 2020 when he hurt his knee during practice.

Initial reports suggested he could miss six to eight weeks.

However, he returned much earlier and continued producing at a high level.

His professional challenges included going undrafted, being waived by Toronto and Boston, and being released after Miami’s training camp.

He also received a one-game NBA suspension following an on-court altercation during a March 2026 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The incident became a negative moment in his season, but it did not change his wider role as an established Washington rotation player.

Awards and Major Achievements

• First-Team All-ACC in 2021
• Associated Press Honourable Mention All-American
• All-ACC Academic Team selection
• Karl Malone Award finalist
• Two-time ACC Freshman of the Week
• NBA G League Player of the Month for February 2024
• All-NBA G League Second Team in 2024
• NBA G League Up Next Game selection
• Multi-year Washington Wizards contract
• More than 180 NBA regular-season appearances by the end of 2025–26

Interesting Facts

• His full name is Justin John Champagnie.
• His surname is pronounced “Sham-Penny.”
• He has an identical twin brother who also plays in the NBA.
• He is around seven minutes older than Julian.
• Their father was part of a national championship college soccer team.
• He led Pittsburgh in both scoring and rebounding as a freshman.
• He recorded consecutive 20-point and 20-rebound college games.
• He was not selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.
• His G League success helped him earn a long-term NBA opportunity.
• Rebounding remains one of his strongest professional skills.

Conclusion

Justin Champagnie’s career is an example of what can happen when a player continues working after rejection.

He moved from Brooklyn high school basketball to becoming one of Pittsburgh’s leading college players.

Going undrafted could have ended his NBA ambition, but he accepted two-way contracts, G League assignments and short-term opportunities.

His performances eventually earned a multi-year contract with the Washington Wizards.

He may not receive the same attention as the league’s biggest stars, but his rebounding, energy and professional determination have made him a valuable NBA contributor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Justin Champagnie?

He is 24 years old as of June 24, 2026.

When was he born?

He was born on June 29, 2001.

How tall is he?

He is 6 feet 6 inches tall.

Which team does he play for?

He plays for the Washington Wizards.

What position does he play?

He plays as a guard-forward and small forward.

Who is his twin brother?

His identical twin brother is San Antonio Spurs player Julian Champagnie.

Where did he attend college?

He attended the University of Pittsburgh.

Was he selected in the NBA Draft?

No, he went undrafted in 2021 before signing with the Toronto Raptors.