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.
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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.