Raptors: 4 non-Scottie Barnes players to watch in Summer League
By Mike Luciano
2. PF Justin Champagnie
Champagnie signed with the Raptors as an undrafted free agent, and the fact that the Raptors were able to pluck him from those ranks and sign him to a UDFA deal is simply astounding given the amazing production he put up during his time at Pitt. He’ll get to show off what he’s got in Vegas.
Champagnie averaged 18.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last year in the ACC, and while the Raptors will need some assurance that he has worked on his 3-point shot, he has proven to be a dominant rebounder, and the Raptors could plug him in nicely due to their array of power forwards.
Justin Champagnie is a great signing by the Raptors, at one point was the best player in the ACC last season pic.twitter.com/2XvPdEnhpV
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) July 30, 2021
Justin Champagnie could be an impact bench player for the Raptors.
Champagnie might not have a traditional power forward frame at 6-6 and barely over 200 pounds, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a master rebounder and irritating interior defender for opponents. With the Raptors fully committed to riding the “positionless basketball” wave, Champagnie could fill holes in a multitude of settings.
While Barnes will be a major part of the rotation, and both Banton and Johnson will see time at the end of the bench, Champagnie’s two-way deal means that he is guaranteed almost nothing. If he impressed Toronto with his blend of scrappiness, efficiency, and versatility, he’ll stick around for the long haul.