Pistons draft: 3-and-D prospect for the second round
2022 NBA Draft: Julian Champagnie’s strengths and weaknesses
When we get into the middle of the second round, all prospects have flaws and Champagnie is no exception.
He is a good/not great athlete who does not have an elite first step on the bounce and is probably never going to be a guy who blows by people.
He is a good shooter and solid rebounder, who moves well without the ball in his hands and projects as a guy who will eventually be an above-average shooter from long range. In his best college season, he hit 38 percent from 3-point range on over six attempts per game, numbers that should translate to the next level where he will have better players getting the ball.
Champagnie doesn’t have the type of athleticism to be great shot blocker, but is a smart, dedicated defender who is very good at using his length to get steals. He averaged over two steals per game and should be a guy who can handle both forward spots defensively.
He makes up for his lack of elite foot speed with his 6-foot-8, 220 lbs. frame, which he uses to get to his spots and keep offensive players in front of him.
Champagnie will have to work on his quickness and on-the-ball defense to excel in the NBA, but he has a nice toolbox of two-way skills and could be an Isaiah Livers-type prospect who excels in a good defensive scheme and hits 3-point shots at a high rate.