The Washington Wizards entered this season with a young roster, a mix of veterans to lead the way and a slim hope for a chance to compete in a loaded Eastern Conference.
Through the start of the season, the Wizards inconsistencies have made it very hard to pull any positives out of anything that Washington has put on the floor. Between lackluster performances, injury woes or poor execution, Brian Keefe's squad has flat out struggled.
However, along the way, the struggles and injuries allowed for players who don't get much playing time to get a chance on the court and prove that they belong. One player in specific that has stepped up has been Justin Champagnie.
The former Pitt standout has risen to the occassion and put together countless strong performances that has not only convinced Keefe that he deserves more minutes, but that he deserves a shot to remain in the starting lineup.
Justin Champagnie making the case to stay around for long haul
Champagnie spent two seasons at Pittsburgh where he stood out in his sophomore year with the Panthers. Averaging 18 points 11.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists, the forward felt that he was ready for the jump to the NBA. After declaring for the NBA Draft, the wing dealt with a huge reality check after going undrafted in 2021.
However, through stints with the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics and the NBA G-League, Champagnie my have finally found a home with the Wizards.
On the season, Champagnie is averaging 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists, while shooting 55.5% from field goal range and 39.2% from beyond the arc. In a deeper dive, the 6-foot-6 playmaker is averaging 17.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per 40 minutes.
At 23-years-old, not only does Champagnie fit the timeline of the Wizards rebuild, but his ability to play both on and off the ball bodes well for the style of offense that Brian Keefe likes to play.
Nonetheless, this doesn't mean that the Wizards have found a bonafide superstar, but it does mean that Washington has found a young piece that is talented enough to be a viable role player with the skillset to develop into much more.
If the versatile forward continues to show out in his minutes with the Wizards, he could truly become a hidden gem for general manager Will Dawkins and his staff as Washington builds towards the future.