Julian Champagnie’s rise from unwanted to NBA Finals contributor

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 w