Inside The Spurs

Pop the Bubbly! Spurs' Julian Champagnie Shines in California Classic Debut

The San Antonio Spurs recently signed Julian Champagnie to a four-year contract and he proved why in the team's California Classic opener against the Charlotte Hornets.

Matt Guzman

Pop the Bubbly! Spurs' Julian Champagnie Shines in California Classic Debut
Pop the Bubbly! Spurs' Julian Champagnie Shines in California Classic Debut /
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Almost instantly, a name that became increasingly familiar down the stretch last season is resurfacing once again. 

Julian Champagnie was a bright spot for the San Antonio Spurs in their California Classic opener against the Charlotte Hornets.

Fresh off of a new four-year deal with the Spurs, the second-year forward made his presence felt by every other player on the court. Champagnie got things started right away from 3, hitting both the Spurs' first points and the first of his five made 3s. He used his versatility to not only score 30, but grab eight boards and notch four steals to go along with it.

"A lot of us are still trying to prove ourselves and fight for a spot in this league," Champagnie said postgame. "Everybody walked in and checked their ego at the door. We all became a team, even with just three days of practice.

"[Signing] a contract is a relief for a guy like me, but the same rules apply. I'm going to go out and play the right way."

Just about everything went right for Champagnie on Monday, who also found a strong on-court relationship with Dominick Barlow — his partner in crime who scored 24 points. Last season, he and Barlow both played under 30 games in the Spurs' development-focused year. They got minutes down the stretch, but spent more time working individually in preparation for this season.

"You can get cut at any time [as a two-way player]," Barlow said at the end of last season. "Nothing is guaranteed. That was kind of lingering in the back of my mind, but [this year], I was able to really lock in and trust my work."

That showed. 

Together, Barlow and Champagnie not only combined for 54 points, but also showed the Spurs why they deserve a roster spot. They're legit, and if it continues, they have the potential to become household names very quickly in San Antonio and beyond.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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