After losing out on five-star center Efton Reid in the recruiting process Sunday, Pitt announced Monday when it learned it would be losing its best player in Justin Champagnie.
Champagnie was announced to have signed with Life Sports Agency Monday morning, and then shortly after it was confirmed by Pitt that he would be entering the 2021 NBA Draft.
“My parents and my family have been my biggest supporters and they have made a lot of sacrifices to help put me in this position,” said Champagnie. “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. The University of Pittsburgh has elevated me on and off the court. I love Coach (Jeff) Capel, the entire coaching staff and my teammates and will always be proud of the relationships I have built over the past two seasons."
Champagnie became the bonafide star of Pitt basketball in just two seasons, when he became the first player in the program's history to lead the program in scoring during their freshman and sophomore seasons. He also became Pitt's first player to be named First Team All-ACC after averaging a double-double in the 2020-2021 season at 18 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, the second-highest scorer and leading rebounder of the conference.
"It was a difficult decision because Pitt has been such a special place in my development," Champagnie continued. "I am going to miss the passionate support of the fans, especially the Oakland Zoo, but I know it is time to begin my professional career. I am prepared to take the next step, accept the next challenge and put in the work it takes to succeed at the next level.”
Since Capel took over as head coach in 2018, Pitt has gone 40-48. When Champagnie started, he doubled as a scoring and rebounding threat, even becoming the third player in the last 25 years to record back-to-back games with over 20 points and 20 rebounds against Northwestern and Gardner-Webb.
“Justin has been a terrific member of our program for the past two years and has earned the opportunity to be a NBA Draft selection,” said head coach Jeff Capel. “He put together an outstanding season under some difficult circumstances last year, earning All-America recognition and becoming Pitt’s first First Team All-ACC selection. We are proud of the way he has developed within the Pitt program and excited to see him continue to evolve as a player."
"Justin’s competitiveness, toughness and desire to help his family will continue to be driving factors in helping his game reach new levels. I believe he is just scratching the surface of the player he can become and look forward to watching him carve out a lengthy pro career. Justin has our love and support and will always be a part of the Pitt family.”
Champagnie is Pitt's first early entry into the NBA Draft since Steven Adams entered the 2013 NBA Draft after his freshman season under Jamie Dixon. The accomplishment is something to celebrate as the Panthers hadn't seen a player make it to the NBA after playing their final NCAA season for Pitt since Jamel Artis in 2017.
But it's impossible to overlook the state of the program going into next season. Pitt lost five players, including three starters, to the NCAA Transfer Portal in 2021. Champagnie's entering the draft means that Capel will be working without four of his most consistent starters, as Xavier Johnson, Au'Diese Toney and Abdoul Coulibaly were Champagnie's fellow starters for most of last season.
Capel has gotten the Panthers out of the crater that it was left in from the days of Kevin Stallings when the Panthers finished 8-24 without a single ACC win in the 2018-2019 season. But Pitt now has five consecutive seasons without an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, with three of those coming under Capel's era.
After starting last season with a strong 8-2 record, Pitt collapsed to finish 2-10 on the season even with Champagnie and the bulk of those starters, albeit with Johnson and Toney both transferring with only a few games left in the season.
Now, Pitt is on the verge of going six years without an NCAA Tournament appearance as Capel will have to rebuild a starting lineup with only four players who've started more than one game for the Panthers in 2020 in Nike Sibande, Ithiel Horton, William Jeffress and Femi Odukale.
Champagnie's heading to the NBA is a moment to celebrate, but it's also a bittersweet pill to swallow for a program that's been desperately working to get back to being competitive. And with one high school recruit in Nate Santos and two transfer players in Daniel Oladapo and Jamarius Burton as Pitt's only commitments going into the second week of May, things look bleak for Pitt being competitive in the ACC anytime soon.
