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With the San Antonio Spurs beating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night to advance to the NBA Finals against the Knicks, it’ll be a big homecoming for two growing stars.
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, from New Jersey, and Julian Champagnie, from New York, have deep roots in the local basketball scene.
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Harper, 20, attended Don Bosco Prep High School just outside of New York City in Ramsey, NJ and spent his freshman year of college at Rutgers before being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Champagnie, 24, went to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn and then stayed close to home by going to St. John’s for three seasons.
After winning the Western Conference Finals, both players couldn’t have been more excited to talk about returning home and facing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on the biggest stage.
“It’s going to be a fun one,” Harper said. “I think they kind of got us in the [NBA] Cup, like you said, got us when we went there. We pulled out a close one at home. I think for us it comes down to doubling down on what we’re good at… I feel like it’s a great matchup.
“For me, my dream has been always to play in The Garden in the NBA Finals and I get to do that my first year. I’m not gonna take nothing for granted.”
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Growing up in New Jersey, Harper said that he’s attended many Knicks games throughout his life and expects to get countless ticket requests from people. The rookie added this opportunity doesn’t feel real, but he’s confident that it’s meant to be.
“I’ve been to so many Knicks playoff games, Knicks games. I live 25, 30 minutes from the arena. I know there’s going to be a whole lot of tickets I’ll be asked for, but my phone’s going to be off for that,” Harper said. “It’s a dream come true, it’s a blessing. It’s kind of where I’ve always wanted to play at for the Finals.
“I think that if you would have told this last year, I would have told you you’re crazy. I think that you kind of go through what you go through to get to moments like this. I’ve kind of just been steadying, just wanting wants best for me.”
Champagnie said playing at The…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/spurs-dylan-harper-julian-champagnie-062052781.html
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Publish date : 2026-05-31 06:20:00
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