St. John's Julian Champagnie opts for NBA Draft
St. John's guard Julian Champagnie reacts after making a there point shot against DePaul during the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 9. Credit: Noah K. Murray
Julian Champagnie, who has been the face of the St. John’s men’s basketball program for the past two seasons, has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2022 NBA Draft. The Red Storm’s star junior forward has hired an agent and will begin training for the NBA combine and team workouts this month.
The move by the two-time All-Big East first-team selection, announced Saturday by St. John’s, is not unexpected. After leading the conference in scoring as a sophomore, the 6-8 Champagnie explored entering the NBA Draft before deciding to return to school. He was the first Red Storm player to sign an NIL deal this season when the NCAA made it possible for athletes to earn from their name, image and likeness.
“Playing in the NBA has been a lifelong dream,” Champagnie said in the announcement. “After discussion with my family and those close to me, I believe now is the best time to begin that journey.”
The Brooklyn product’s twin brother, Justin Champagnie, left Pittsburgh a year ago to enter the draft and has been in the Toronto Raptors organization this season.
Champagnie averaged 19.2 points and 6.6 rebounds — both team highs — and made 33.7% on three-point attempts as St. John’s finished a disappointing 17-15 after losing nine games in overtime or by six points or fewer.
Though his scoring average is slightly lower than in his sophomore season, Champagnie became a more well-rounded player this season. He averaged 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocked shots, all improvements from the prior season.
“Growing up, St. John’s was a place that always felt like home, but over the past three years, it officially became my home and gave me so much opportunity to develop as a person and a player,” said Champagnie, who came out of Bishop Loughlin. “I wouldn’t change my decision to be part of this great program for anything. I am a Johnnie for life.”
“Over the past three years, it has been an honor to watch Julian grow into the fine young man and basketball player he is today,” Storm coach Mike Anderson said. “Julian put in the work and gave us everything we asked of him. We understand this is his time to take that next step and pursue his dream of playing in the NBA. We wish him the very best.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
