Justin John Champagnie Bio
Justin John Champagnie is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a shooting guard and small forward for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Born June 29, 2001, in New York City and raised in Brooklyn, Champagnie played college basketball for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers before entering the 2021 NBA draft. Although he went undrafted, his persistence and versatility have allowed him to build a solid professional career. Champagnie earned notable recognition including First-team All-ACC honors during his collegiate career and All-NBA G League Second Team distinction in 2024. He signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the Wizards in March 2025, securing his place in the league.
Early Life and Background
Champagnie grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, as part of a multi-generational New York family. His mother’s family traces roots to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, while his father, Ranford, immigrated from Jamaica and grew up in the Bronx. Ranford Champagnie played soccer for St. John’s University in the mid-1990s and was part of the 1996 national championship team. He later became a professional soccer coach, overseeing men’s soccer programs at Baruch College and York College. Justin has an identical twin brother, Julian Champagnie, who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs. During their youth, Justin and Julian were close companions, both pursuing basketball at young ages. Champagnie also grew up alongside Kadary Richmond, a fellow basketball player with whom he later reunited on the Wizards roster years later.
Champagnie attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, where he developed into a standout basketball player. As a senior, he averaged 19.8 points per game and earned first-team Class AA All-State honors. Despite receiving interest from several major college programs including Cincinnati, Dayton, Seton Hall, Saint Louis, and Rutgers, Champagnie chose to commit to the University of Pittsburgh.
Path to Professional Basketball
Champagnie began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh in 2019, immediately making an impact as a true freshman. He led the Panthers with 12.7 points and 7 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to contribute at the collegiate level. His performance earned him CBS Sports/USBWA National Freshman of the Week and ACC Freshman of the Week honors after he posted 25 points and 10 rebounds against Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. However, his freshman season faced a setback when he sustained a knee injury during practice in December 2020, ruling him out for at least six weeks. He returned to form and recorded a standout performance of 31 points and 14 rebounds in a win against Duke on January 19, 2021. At the conclusion of the regular season, Champagnie earned First-team All-ACC recognition.
As a sophomore during the 2020-2021 season, Champagnie elevated his game further, averaging 18 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. His dominant performance positioned him as a projected late first-round to early second-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft. After going undrafted, Champagnie continued pursuing his professional dreams, signing with the Toronto Raptors and beginning his professional journey.
Justin John Champagnie Career
Toronto Raptors and Raptors 905 (2021–2022)
Despite projections suggesting he would be selected in the 2021 NBA draft, Champagnie went undrafted and signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on August 7, 2021. The deal allowed him to split time between the NBA roster and their G League affiliate, Raptors 905. He made his professional debut on November 1, 2021, scoring his first two points on free throws during a win against the New York Knicks. During his time in Toronto, Champagnie benefited from mentorship by All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam, who became a significant influence on his development. Champagnie viewed Siakam as a big brother figure throughout their time together. On July 14, 2022, he re-signed with the Raptors on a two-year contract before being waived on December 29, 2022.
Sioux Falls Skyforce (2023)
Following his departure from Toronto, Champagnie was claimed off waivers by the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League on January 10, 2023. The opportunity allowed him to continue developing his game while awaiting another NBA chance.
Boston Celtics (2023)
Champagnie signed with the Boston Celtics on April 7, 2023, providing him with playoff experience late in the 2022-2023 season. However, he was waived by the Celtics on July 31, 2023. He subsequently signed with the Miami Heat on August 11, 2023, but was waived on October 21, 2023, before the start of the regular season. Nine days later, he returned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce to continue his development.
Washington Wizards (2024–Present)
Champagnie signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards on February 22, 2024, and impressed during his brief stint. On March 3, 2024, he signed a two-way contract with the Wizards, securing a more permanent role with the franchise. A memorable moment occurred on February 10, 2025, when Champagnie faced his twin brother Julian and the San Antonio Spurs for the first time in an NBA game. The matchup was historic, as only a small number of twins have ever played against each other in NBA history. On March 2, 2025, Champagnie and the Wizards agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract, solidifying his future with the organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Champagnie is known for his versatility, able to play both shooting guard and small forward positions. His rebounding ability stands out for a player at his position, and he brings an active approach on both ends of the floor. His experience playing for multiple organizations has shaped his understanding of different systems and team cultures. The mentorship he received from Pascal Siakam during his time with the Raptors influenced his development as a professional.
Notable Events and Milestones
The February 2025 matchup against his twin brother Julian represented a landmark moment in both brothers’ careers. Playing against family at the NBA level is rare, and the brothers received significant attention for their milestone. Champagnie’s progression from an undrafted free agent to a signed player on a multi-year contract demonstrates his persistence and ability to improve throughout his professional career.
Justin John Champagnie Career Wins
Champagnie has accumulated notable accomplishments across his college and professional career, including individual honors and significant milestones at both the collegiate and NBA levels.
Professional Highlights
Champagnie earned All-NBA G League Second Team honors in 2024, recognizing his strong play with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He has appeared in games with the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards, accumulating valuable NBA experience across multiple franchises. His professional debut against the New York Knicks in November 2021 marked his first NBA appearance.
College and Amateur Highlights
Champagnie’s First-team All-ACC selection in 2021 highlighted his standout performance at the University of Pittsburgh. He was recognized as CBS Sports/USBWA National Freshman of the Week and ACC Freshman of the Week during his collegiate career. His 31-point, 14-rebound game against Duke remains one of his most celebrated performances.
| Level | Honors |
|---|---|
| NBA | All-NBA G League Second Team (2024) |
| College | First-team All-ACC (2021) |
Justin John Champagnie Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Champagnie comes from an athletic family with multi-generational ties to sports. His father, Ranford Champagnie, played soccer at St. John’s University and won a national championship in 1996. He later transitioned to coaching, leading men’s soccer programs at Baruch College and York College. Justin and his identical twin brother, Julian, both pursued basketball careers, reaching the NBA level independently. Their rare achievement of playing against each other in an NBA game in February 2025 created a memorable moment for their family.
Personal Life
Champagnie maintains strong connections to his Brooklyn roots. He is of Jamaican descent through his father, who immigrated to New York from Jamaica. His childhood friendship with Kadary Richmond, formed during their middle school years, continued into their professional careers when both joined the Wizards. Champagnie currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-2025 season marked a breakthrough year for Champagnie with the Washington Wizards. After joining the franchise on a 10-day contract in February 2024 and converting to a two-way deal, he earned a guaranteed four-year, $10 million contract extension in March 2025. The new contract represented a significant milestone in his career and reflected the Wizards’ confidence in his contributions. His February 2025 matchup against his twin brother Julian and the San Antonio Spurs became a headline moment, drawing national attention to the rare occurrence of NBA twins facing each other. Champagnie’s ability to play multiple positions provides the Wizards with valuable roster flexibility. He continues to split time between the Wizards and their G League affiliate, Capital City Go-Go, as he develops his game at the professional level.