Justin Champagnie
Justin John Champagnie is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. 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. He 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.College career
As a true freshman, Champagnie led the Panthers with 12.7 points and 7 rebounds per game. 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. On December 22, 2020, Champagnie was ruled out for at least six weeks after sustaining a knee injury during practice. On January 19, 2021, he recorded 31 points and 14 rebounds in a 79–73 win over Duke. 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, 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.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. With Scottie Barnes injured and unable to play, 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. Champagnie during his time in Toronto was mentored by All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam and became close with Champagnie seeing Siakam as a big brother.On July 14, 2022, Champagnie re-signed with the Raptors on a two-year contract. On December 29, he was waived by the Raptors.
Sioux Falls Skyforce (2023)
On January 10, 2023, Champagnie was claimed off waivers by the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League.Boston Celtics (2023)
On April 7, 2023, Champagnie signed with the Boston Celtics. On July 31, he was waived by the Celtics.Return to Sioux Falls (2023–2024)
On August 11, 2023, Champagnie signed with the Miami Heat, but was waived on October 21, prior to the start of the 2023–24 season. Nine days later, he returned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.Washington Wizards / Capital City Go-Go (2024–present)
On February 22, 2024, Champagnie signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards and on March 3, he signed a two-way contract.On February 10, 2025, Justin played against his twin brother Julian for the first time in an NBA game, when the Wizards met the San Antonio Spurs. They are among a very small number of twins who have ever played against one another in an NBA game. On March 2, Champagnie and the Wizards agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract.
Career statistics
NBA
Regular season
Playoffs
College
Personal life
Champagnie was born in the United States and is of Jamaican descent. His identical twin brother, Julian, plays professional basketball for the San Antonio Spurs.Champagnie is a multi-generational New Yorker, raised in Kensington, Brooklyn. His mother's family is from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and his father grew up in the Bronx after immigrating from Jamaica. His father, Ranford, played soccer for St. John's in the mid-1990s and was a member of the 1996 national championship team; Ranford is a professional soccer coach, and has coached the men's soccer teams of Baruch College and York College.