Justin Champagnie is an emerging talent in the basketball world. With a two-way contract, he plays for the Washington Wizards in the NBA and Capital City Go-Go in the G League. Beyond his athletic capabilities, there are some interesting details about his background.

At the core of his life story is the Champagnie family heritage. Justin was born on June 29, 2001, in Staten Island, New York, to Ranford and Christina. So, that makes his nationality American while his ethnicity is unconfirmed. He comes from a family with a deep love for sports. His twin brother Julian is also a professional basketball player.

The two brothers have been an inseparable duo. Growing up together in Brooklyn, they shared a common love for basketball. Their big goal was to make it to the middle school team. Unfortunately, they were rejected. Relief came years later when Julian started playing for the Spurs and Justin for the Wizards. Who knew getting cut from middle school ball would lead to NBA glory?

The family’s connection to sports doesn’t stop at the brothers. Their father, Ranford, played soccer for St. John’s University in the 1990s and even helped his team win an NCAA National Championship in 1996. He later became the head coach of the soccer team at Baruch College. Meanwhile, Christina, Justin and Julian’s mum is a teacher, balancing her career with supporting her sons’ pursuits. Even though their parents are busy, they’ve always supported their kids and made time to cheer the twins from the sidelines.

Family plays a major role in Justin’s life, both in terms of his success and his identity. “My parents and my family have been my biggest supporters. They’ve made a lot of sacrifices to help put me in this position,” Champagnie once said. “I am excited about the opportunity to pursue my NBA dreams and be in a position to pay them back for everything they have invested in me.”

Did Justin Champagnie go undrafted in the NBA?

Growing up in Brooklyn, basketball was a game Justin Champagnie couldn’t say no to, but his journey wasn’t smooth sailing. In middle school, he tried out for the team but was cut, a setback that didn’t stop him from working harder. In high school, he averaged 19.8 points per game, which earned him a top 10 spot in the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) rankings and the MVP of the Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic honors. He caught the eye of college scouts, leading to offers from top-tier programs.

In Pittsburgh, he kept the momentum going and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team. He broke decades-old records and became the only freshman in his program history to score 400+ points and grab 200+ rebounds in a season. He was named ACC Freshman of the Week and CBS Sports/USBWA National Freshman of the Week, while earning MVP honors at the Fort Myers TipOff.

In Year 2, he averaged 18 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. His college stats were hard to ignore, with many scouts seeing him as a potential late first-round pick. Soon after the season, he declared for the NBA draft. He chose to forego his college eligibility but went undrafted…

But that didn’t dishearten him. After going undrafted in 2021, the NBA calling came later that year. The Toronto Raptors and Raptors 905 offered him a two-way contract. A few years later, after spells in Boston and Miami, he joined Wizards, where his numbers continued to climb, cementing his place as a key emerging player in the league.

The 2024-25 season is by far Justin’s best one, with him starting the most games he ever has, eventually leading to a career-high 31-point night against the Knicks. From a middle school cut to an NBA standout, his journey is all about growing and defying the odds.