San Antonio Spurs
Breakout candidate: Julian Champagnie
Understandably so, heading into the season, when it comes to the San Antonio Spurs all eyes will be on Victor Wembanyama. If his performance in the NBA’s preseason is any indication, he’s about to take the league by storm. And for a team with as much young talent as the Spurs have, there are several players that could emerge as breakout candidates in San Antonio. One potential breakout player that not many are talking about is Julian Champagnie. I believe he could be in for a big season if given the minutes and opportunity to do so.
Champagnie had a 15-game stretch last season in which he averaged 11 points and four rebounds on 41 percent shooting from 3-point range. I know the Spurs spent the majority of that time “tanking,” but he’s a player who could build off that momentum toward the end of the season to catapult him this year.
Champagnie is just 22 years old and may end up being another one of these hidden gems that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has found.