Justin Champagnie quickly rose to stardom with the Panthers in his two seasons to become the star of the program in his sophomore year. He became the most productive Pitt player during the Jeff Capel era.
After averaging a double-double with 18 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his sophomore season, Champagnie decided to enter the NBA Draft back in May. But now, with the NBA Draft two weeks away on July 29, Champagnie feels confident about his chances to get picked. Multiple factors played into his decision, but it was combination of confidence and concern.
"I was speaking to coach Capel every day leading up to it," Champagnie said Thursday in a press availability. "He always told me he spoke to people around the league about me, and after speaking with my agent, both said I had a good chance to make my dreams come true. I just ran with it, believed in myself and the work I've put in."
But the concerns for Champagnie stem from his injury history. He suffered two knee injuries, one in the early part of each of his two seasons with the Panthers. He would recover ahead of schedule and have strong years both times, but he acknowledged that played a factor in his decision as well.
"Injuries were part of my concerns," Champagnie said. "I wondered if I came back to school and got hurt, I don't know what would happen. That scared me a little bit, but I realize you can't go through things worrying about injuries. I'm a big believe in putting positivity in the air. It did play a part in my decision, but at the end of the day I knew what I wanted."
But along with his family, trainers and agent, Champagnie maintains Capel supported his decision throughout the entire process and that helped with his confidence in making the call to take his shot at the NBA.
"He always gives me confidence," Champagnie said of Capel. "He supported me when I told him I wanted to go to the draft. He just said, 'let's do it,' and never tried to make me do anything else. He wanted to let me make the decision for myself and what I feel is best. He always gives me pointers when I'm playing and how to approach my workouts, but he gives me the confidence to keep going out there."
After participating in the NBA Scouting Combine, Champagnie says he's now flying around the country doing workouts for several different NBA teams.
"Before the combine I was based out of (Los Angeles, Ca.)," Champagnie said. "I would get up at 5 a.m., would leave around 7 a.m., be on the court by 9 a.m., and then put up shots until 6 p.m. Everything has been about sharpening my skills. Right now I'm going from workout to workout flying around from city to city."
"I've been to eleven workouts now," Champagnie continued. "I can't name them all off the top of my head, but I've been to Boston, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Minnesota, Utah, Houston and Toronto. There's been a couple other teams too."
When asked if any team has told him he would be their man at any point of the draft process, Champagnie did confirm there was at least one NBA team.
"Yes I have," Champagnie said when asked if he's been told by any team who would be their pick. "I'm not going to say what team, but yes. I'm confident in myself and my chances."
As he continues to get ready for the NBA Draft, Champagnie continues to focus on his shooting ability to balance out his skills.
"I'm working on my shooting and ball handling," Champagnie said. "Not crazy ball handling. Teams already have guys that do that, but I want to be able to take 1-3 dribbles to either set up my teammates or get ready to knock down my open shots when it's time. Every team has told me the same things. They want me to keep working on shooting but also keep being me. Nobody's telling me to change my game. They see me as a guy who comes in the game with a bunch of energy as an all around tough player. That's the kind of role I see myself playing defense, getting tough rebounds and making shots."
Champagnie said he's also spoken with NBA players Pascal Siakam and Markieff Morris, seeking advice from the veterans on how to best handle the process.
On the same Thursday Champagnie spoke, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett became the first Pitt Panther with a prominent Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal since the NCAA and Pa. approved NIL policies in June.
For my first NIL deal, I want to make sure I can take care of the big guys who take care of me. I’m excited to announce my association with the Oaklander Hotel & their restaurant, Spirits & Tales, where I will be treating my linemen to our weekly Hog Dinners! #OaklanderPartner pic.twitter.com/hek0x0ujB3
— Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10) July 15, 2021
Champagnie didn't express regret over his decision to head to the NBA the year college athletes could legally be paid for the first time in NCAA history, but he did think over what kind of opportunities he might've had.
"When I saw that deal came out I thought, 'dang, I really could've made some money off of this,'" Champagnie said. "But I just wanted to follow my dreams. I'm good at making decisions for myself and I feel like I made the right one. A lot of this is going to help college athletes, but I do feel like I could've made a living off of that."
Even as Champagnie prepares for the NBA Draft, he's still kept an eye on and supported his former teammates at Pitt.
"I love Pitt," Champagnie said. "Not going to lie. Everyone asked me if I was going back to school if I would transfer, but no. I would never leave. I love Pitt. It was the best two years of my life. I talk to Femi (Odukale) at least three times a week. That's like my brother. I think they're going to be good. I always believe in underdogs and I don't think anybody in the ACC is ready for what these guys are going to be after watching them practice. They've got some pieces who will surprise people."
In Champagnie's spare time, he's kept his eye on the NBA Finals, where the Bucks tied the series up at 2-2 with a 109-103 win over the Suns Wednesday night. As former Pitt Panther Cameron Johnson and the Suns look to host game five of the series Saturday night, Champagnie sees them closing out the series in the next two games.
"I'm taking the Suns," Champagnie said when asked what he thought of the NBA Finals. "Milwaukee has a great team but I'm taking the Suns. They're just so together, they're the most put together team I'm ever seen. I think Chris Paul deserves a ring at this point in his career. They're going to the win the next two games and the series will be over."
Champagnie also indicated that he hasn't been able to focus on a specific plan to finish his degree at Pitt while he's been preparing to make the NBA, but that he has every intention to finish his classes at Pitt over the next two years.
