Julian Champagnie isn’t a household name yet, but for those following the San Antonio Spurs closely, he’s become a player worth watching. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t make headlines with flashy dunks or viral moments. Instead, he’s building his career one game at a time, earning trust through consistency and improvement.
What makes people curious about him goes beyond basketball. There’s the twin brother story—both playing in the NBA. There’s the journey from being cut from a middle school team to making it professionally. And there’s the question everyone asks when they discover a young player who went undrafted: how did he get here?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julian Kymani Champagnie |
| Date of Birth | June 29, 2001 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’7″ (201 cm) |
| NBA Team | San Antonio Spurs |
| Position | Small Forward / Shooting Guard |
Early Life and Family Background
Julian Kymani Champagnie was born on June 29, 2001, in Staten Island, New York. He’s seven minutes younger than his identical twin brother Justin, something their family never lets him forget.
The family settled in Kensington, Brooklyn, near Coney Island, where both boys grew up. Their mother’s family comes from Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, while their father grew up in the Bronx after immigrating from Jamaica. Basketball runs deep in New York, and growing up there meant the game was everywhere.
Their father, Ranford Champagnie, played college soccer at St. John’s University, where he was part of the 1996 national championship team. After his playing days, Ranford became a soccer coach, leading Baruch College’s men’s team from 2004 to 2014. Their mother is Christina Champagnie, and they also have a younger brother named Jaylen.
The athletic genes came from both sides, but Ranford jokingly admits to being “disappointed” his sons chose basketball over soccer. Still, he and Christina supported their boys completely, understanding that passion matters more than following your parents’ path.
Basketball Beginnings and Education
Julian and Justin both started playing basketball at age five, and they quickly became inseparable on the court. But their journey didn’t start with success. When they tried out for their middle school team, both brothers were cut. It was crushing at the time, but looking back, it became the fuel they needed.
He attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, playing alongside Justin. As a junior, he averaged 15 points per game and earned Third Team All-Catholic High School Athletic Association honors. His senior year showed real growth—he averaged 17.2 points and made First Team All-CHSAA.
The twins had always planned to play college basketball together. But when Pittsburgh showed interest in Justin, their plan changed. Julian wasn’t ready for college yet, and watching his brother commit without him was hard. “I was upset, only because we had a plan,” he admitted later.
Julian committed to St. John’s University over offers from Pittsburgh, Washington State, Cincinnati, and Seton Hall. It meant splitting up from Justin for the first time in 17 years, but it also meant finding his own identity as a player.
College Career at St. John’s
At St. John’s, he didn’t waste time proving himself. As a freshman in 2019-20, he averaged 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, earning Big East All-Freshman honors. His best freshman game came on March 4, 2020, when he dropped 23 points against Butler.
His sophomore year in 2020-21 was his breakout. He averaged 19.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, leading the Big East in scoring. On January 9, 2021, he put up 33 points and 10 rebounds against seventh-ranked Creighton—the first 30-point double-double by a St. John’s player since 2015.
After that season, he tested the NBA Draft waters while keeping his college eligibility. On July 4, 2021, he announced he was withdrawing from the draft and returning for his junior year—a decision that would give him one more year to develop.
As a junior in 2021-22, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, two steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He was named First Team All-Big East for the second straight season. His career-high 34 points came on January 5, 2022, in a win over DePaul.
Entering the NBA
Despite his college success, Julian went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. It’s a tough reality for talented players—being good enough to play professionally but not getting selected on draft night.
He signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers shortly after the draft, splitting time between the Sixers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Two-way contracts pay about half the NBA minimum salary, roughly $500,000, and allow players to develop while getting occasional NBA minutes.
His time in Philadelphia was brief. He played just two NBA games for the Sixers while appearing in 32 games for Delaware, where he had a career-high 39 points against Capital City Go-Go on October 10, 2022.(source)
On February 14, 2023, the Sixers waived him. Two days later, the San Antonio Spurs claimed him off waivers and signed him to a two-way contract. This move would change everything.
Finding a Home in San Antonio
The Spurs saw something in him that Philadelphia didn’t fully utilize. San Antonio’s development system, led by coach Gregg Popovich, has a long history of maximizing players’ potential. Julian got his chance and didn’t waste it.
In July 2023, the Spurs rewarded him with a four-year, $12 million standard NBA contract. For an undrafted player, securing a guaranteed multi-year deal just one year after going undrafted was massive.
During the 2024-25 season, he appeared in all 82 games for San Antonio, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. His consistency—not missing a single game—showed the Spurs they could count on him.
On December 31, 2025, he scored a career-high 36 points off 11 made three-pointers. Those 11 threes set a Spurs franchise record for most three-pointers in a game. Not bad for someone who went undrafted.
The Twin Connection
Justin, his twin brother, plays for the Washington Wizards after stints with Toronto and Boston. Despite playing for different teams and living in different cities, their connection remains incredibly strong.
They exchange hours-long FaceTime calls, offering real-time advice on plays and challenges. Julian watches Justin’s games, texting suggestions during timeouts. Justin does the same for Julian. They describe it as “twin telepathy”—an understanding that goes beyond words.
On February 10, 2025, Julian and Justin faced each other for the first time in an NBA game when the Spurs played the Wizards. They’re among a very small number of twins who have ever played against one another in the NBA. The Spurs won 131-121, giving Julian bragging rights, though Justin scored 14 points off the bench.
Playing Style and Physical Profile
Julian stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs just under 220 pounds. He plays small forward and shooting guard, fitting the modern NBA mold of versatile wing players who can defend multiple positions.
His biggest strength is three-point shooting. He’s developing into a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, which is exactly what the Spurs need alongside their young star Victor Wembanyama. His ability to space the floor makes the offense flow better.
Defensively, he uses his length and athleticism to guard wings and smaller forwards. He’s not a lockdown defender yet, but he’s improving, which is all the Spurs ask from young players.
His playing style isn’t flashy—he doesn’t create off the dribble much or demand the ball. He’s a role player who understands his job: shoot open threes, play solid defense, and don’t make mistakes. That approach has earned him consistent minutes.
Personal Life and Relationships
He is engaged to Cassidy Velez, according to public social media posts. Cassidy goes by the Instagram handle @omg.its.cassidyy and has been supportive throughout his basketball journey.
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Beyond that, he keeps his personal life pretty private. His Instagram is followed by fans, but he doesn’t share much beyond basketball content and occasional family moments. Given that he’s still young and building his career, this makes sense—focus on basketball first, everything else later.
His family remains close despite everyone being spread out. The Champagnies still gather for holidays, and both twins prioritize family time when their schedules allow it.
Net Worth and Professional Earnings
Financial Note: Net worth figures for young NBA players are estimates based on contract information and typical earnings. These are not officially confirmed amounts.
Julian Champagnie’s professional income comes primarily from his NBA contracts. After going undrafted in 2022, he worked his way into the league through two-way contracts before earning a standard NBA deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
Contract details listed on Spotrac show that he signed a four-year contract worth approximately $12 million, which places his average annual salary at around $3 million per season before taxes, agent fees, and other professional expenses. Like most NBA players, his actual take-home earnings are lower once standard deductions are applied.
Considering his guaranteed NBA salary, limited endorsement activity, and earlier time on two-way contracts, his estimated net worth is believed to be in the range of $1.5 million to $2.5 million as of early 2026. This level of financial stability is typical for young rotation players who have secured a multi-year NBA contract but are still early in their careers.
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