Spurs Forward Julian Champagnie Draws Comparison to Thunder Role Player

San Antonio Spurs wing Julian Champagnie was compared to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams.

San Antonio Spurs second-year forward Julian Champagnie is going to be able to take a leap in the upcoming NBA season. 

Summer League was a success for Champagnie, and he absolutely showed out in the California Classic. The 22-year-old had already earned himself a four-year contract after showing promise last season. 

Champagnie spent two games with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way contract before being waived. The Spurs then picked him up off waivers and played him in 15 games, starting two of them, down the stretch of the season.

With 20.9 minutes per game to close out the season, the 6-8 forward was able to show his capabilities and value to the team.

Bleacher Report compared Champagnie to a "high-end Kenrich Williams." This is high praise, as Williams is a swiss-army knife that contributes to winning at a high level. 

Champagnie shot 40 percent from beyond the arc with the Spurs last season. He averaged 11 points per game and four rebounds per game, too. 

Considering Champagnie's contributions and contract with great value, a comparison to Williams isn't too far off. He will be able to play off Victor Wembanyama's game well and will earn minutes doing the dirty work for the Spurs.

The undrafted wing has already shown perseverance plenty in his early career, such as Williams did as he was making a name for himself, and that identity shows in his play. Obviously the wing is young and the Spurs weren't in winning position, but he shows promise as a potential 3&D guy that can do much more than his limited role.

With the Spurs in a position to develop their young talent, Champagnie will have the time and room to develop more aspects to his game to eventually contribute to sustained success for the Spurs. 

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You can follow Kade Kimble on Twitter @KadeKimble.

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