St. John’s basketball: Julian Champagnie explodes for career night

St. John’s basketball superstar Julian Champagnie has found a home in San Antonio. 

It has been the week of a lifetime for St. John’s basketball standout Julian Champagnie.

After earning his first career NBA start on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, Champagnie was able to register an 8-point, 5-rebound performance in 20 minutes on the road against the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.

However, that was just an appetizer for what proved to be a career night for the rookie against the surprising Sacramento Kings.

Champagnie exploded for 26 points and six rebounds on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and 4-of-5 from the free throw line in San Antonio’s overtime victory.

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The Brooklyn, New York native had 22 of his points in the first half, 16 points coming in the second quarter, on Sunday night on 8-of-10 from the field, 3-of-4 from deep, and 3-of-4 from the line in only 12 minutes.

His 26 points marked the most points ever scored in a game by a rookie on a two-way contract.

St. John’s basketball forward provides encore after record setting performance

Julian Champagnie continued his hot shooting on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns with 10 points in the first quarter on 4-for-4 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, but would be held scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Champagnie missed his next seven shots but did manage to register another six rebounds as the Spurs would lose by 21 points.

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San Antonio will not make the postseason after already being eliminated but the former St. John’s standout is proving to the Spurs, as well as the other franchises in the NBA, that he belongs in the league and can thrive at this level.

Julian Champagnie and the Spurs have just three games remaining in the season and will return to the court on Thursday, April 6 against the Portland Trail Blazers.