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Julian Champagnie is a fascinating figure in the 2026 NBA Finals because he’s the only player in the series who grew up in New York and then went to college in New York — and he happens to now play for the San Antonio Spurs.
So the fourth-year pro isn’t just emerging as a valuable sharpshooter who was overlooked initially after going undrafted and being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers to begin his NBA career. He also might be a villain in his hometown if the Spurs manage to come back and win an NBA championship over the Knicks.
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“I have a lot of friends who are New York fans and I would love to spoil their plans,” Champagnie told reporters before the NBA Finals began.
TRUMP: Amazed by Wemby, ‘How do you guard this guy?’
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.
(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.
(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama passes the ball away from Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) in the second half at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second quarter at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/know-julian-champagnie-meet-spurs-181525096.html
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Publish date : 2026-06-05 18:15:00
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