Ask any athlete, there’s nothing like playing for your hometown. But what is it like when you play in your hometown for the opposing team, and what about when your hometown features one of the largest and most historic organizations in sports? After Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, Spurs forward and New York native Julian Champagnie expressed his anticipation for playing in in the NBA Finals in New York City.
“That’s every kids dream, that’s every kid’s dream. I remember my first time actually
playing in the Garden. I was at St. John’s and was just like in awe, of just how much greatness has gone through there and what that means for a kid form the city. Being now we get to go play for a championship — that’s personal, that’s personal…being able to go back there and compete for a championship, there’s no better feeling.”
Monday night was his dream come true, when he returned to Madison Square Garden as part of the NBA Finals against his hometown New York Knicks. During the Spurs media availability on Tuesday afternoon, he was asked, “After Game 7 in OKC, you were asked about returning back to New York. Now in the Finals, now that you’ve experienced that, could you share what it was like for you to play last night?”
“Yeah, it was pretty cool. Obviously we had a game to win, and that was the most important thing, especially being down 0-2. The initial reaction of just running out there, seeing all the celebrities, the fans, how loud it was, the music, it was definitely a surreal feeling that I’ll carry for life. But it was pretty cool,” he responded.
Champagnie, who was born in Staten Island and played high school ball in Brooklyn, attended St. John’s University from 2019-2022. In 2020, he made the Big East All-Freshman Team. The following year, he was the Big East Co-Most Improved Player along with Xavier’s Zach Freemantle. In 2021 and 2022, Champagnie made the All-Big East team.
After going undrafted in 2022, Champagnie signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Earlier this season, he shared that sitting through Draft Night without hearing his name upset him.
“I thought it was over, I ain’t going to lie to you. Getting waived with no warning, no explanation or anything, it was tough. It was a hard night. Obviously, I cried a lot, was pissed, but it just fueled the fire.”
He only played 7 minutes in two games for the 76ers before being unceremoniously waived on Valentine’s Day 2023 solely for the 76ers to create a roster spot for Mac McClung to participate in the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest. The Spurs picked up Champagnie two days later off waivers.
Since then, he’s signed a 4-year/$12M contract, a great deal for the Spurs. Over the past three season, he has shown that he has the skills to receive a bigger payday in the future. That said, he appreciates that Spurs role in his development, the trust instilled in him and his fit with the team.
“I want to be here. That’s what I can say. I want to be here. I love it here. Love my teammates, love the coaches, love the front office, love everybody. So I’m going to just keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully that works itself out.”
This season the native New Yorker earned his way into the starting line-up. As a three-point specialist with great rebounding, he has blended well with Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell. And now, he’s setting records as a member of the Silver & Black.
His 56 made three-pointers during this playoff run is the most in Spurs franchise history. He hit 5 of 10 in Game 1 and has since added another five over Games 2 and 3. Him continuing to shine in New York is one key to the Spurs evening up the series on Wednesday before taking the Finals back to San Antonio for Game 5, hopefully tied 2-2. Expect him to come out swinging Wednesday for all of New York to witness — and perhaps to help show what a mistake the 76ers made in never giving him the chance the Spurs did.
