St. John’s basketball: Julian Champagnie officially declares for NBA Draft

St. John’s basketball forward Julian Champagnie is entering the 2022 NBA Draft. 

The collegiate career of the best player on this year’s St. John’s basketball team has come to an end as Julian Champagnie has declared for the 2022 NBA Draft.

Champagnie announced the news Saturday afternoon on his social media accounts.

“Playing in the NBA has been a lifelong dream. After discussion with my family and those close to me, I believe now is the best time to begin that journey,” Champagnie said in a press release.

Champagnie tested the waters of the NBA Draft following his sophomore season but opted to return to Queens for his junior campaign, although he has stated he was very close to remaining in the draft and ending his college career after two years.

“Words can’t describe what Julian [Champagnie] has meant to our basketball program since he arrived on campus as a 17-year-old,” head coach Mike Anderson said.

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In his St. John’s career, the Brooklyn, New York native was named to the All-Big East Freshman Team as well as being a First Team All-Big East selection in his sophomore and junior seasons.

Champagnie was also named as the conference’s Co-Most Improved Player after his sophomore year.

“Growing up, St. John’s was a place that always felt like home, but over the past three years it officially became my home and gave me so much opportunity to develop as a person and a player,” Champagnie explained.

Julian Champagnie averaged 9.9 points per game in his freshman season but exploded to average 19.9 points and 19.2 points per game in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively.

“I wouldn’t change my decision to be part of this great program for anything. I am a Johnnie for life.”

St. John’s basketball star hoping workouts can boost draft stock

There are various mock drafts that have different landing spots for Julian Champagnie.

The most recent version from ESPN, published on March 21, has the Red Storm standout being selected No. 56 overall to the Golden State Warriors.

The Athletic, which has not published a mock draft since February 17, has Champagnie off the board at No. 42 overall to the San Antonio Spurs.

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Julian Champagnie’s brother, Justin Champagnie, left Pittsburgh after his sophomore season last year and went undrafted in 2021 before signing with the Toronto Raptors.

Justin Champagnie has split time between the NBA and NBA G-League this season.

The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled for May 16-22 in Chicago while the NBA Draft is slated for June 23 in the Barclays Center in Julian Champagnie’s hometown of Brooklyn, New York.