Julian Champagnie’s Subtle Skill Is Quietly Powering the Spurs' Offense
As the San Antonio Spurs navigate a tough early stretch filled with injuries and lineup shuffles, one player has quietly become a rock in the rotation: Julian Champagnie. He’s not the flashiest name on the roster, but his consistency, versatility, and surprising ability to generate offense in unconventional ways are making a real impact.
Champagnie has now played in over 100 straight games dating back to the start of last season - a rare feat of durability in today’s NBA. But it’s not just about being available.
It’s about what he’s doing with those minutes. In a season where the Spurs have been forced to lean on their depth, Champagnie has stepped up with reliable shooting, solid defense, and some sneaky-good rebounding.
And now, another layer of his game is starting to get attention - one that’s been hiding in plain sight.
Drawing Fouls Like a Vet
Against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, Champagnie found himself at the free throw line 10 times - and it wasn’t from attacking the rim. He was getting fouled on jump shots.
Repeatedly. That’s not a fluke.
According to data from Cleaning the Glass, Champagnie draws shooting fouls on 10.9% of his shot attempts, which puts him in the 68th percentile among NBA wings.
That’s a big deal, especially for a player who lives on the perimeter. Over 73% of Champagnie’s shot attempts come from outside the paint, yet he’s still averaging 2.4 free throw attempts per game. That’s tied with Keldon Johnson and ahead of Devin Vassell - both of whom are known for being more aggressive attacking the basket.
So how is he doing it? A lot of it comes down to feel and timing.
Champagnie has developed a knack for recognizing when a defender is closing out too hard or crowding his landing space. And in today’s NBA, where the league has placed more emphasis on protecting shooters - penalizing defenders who don’t allow space to land or make unnecessary contact - players like Champagnie are learning how to use that to their advantage.
It’s a technique that stars like James Harden have mastered over the years, using contact on jumpers not just to draw fouls, but to control the tempo of the game. Champagnie isn’t at that level, but the blueprint is similar: take what the defense gives you, and if they’re going to be aggressive on the closeout, make them pay for it.
A Quiet Catalyst for Offensive Growth
Champagnie’s ability to draw fouls on jumpers might not lead SportsCenter highlights, but it’s contributing to something bigger for San Antonio. The Spurs are averaging 26.1 free throw attempts per game this season - up from 21 a year ago.
That’s a significant jump, and it’s helping them climb the offensive efficiency rankings. After finishing 19th in offensive rating last season, they’ve surged into the top 10 this year, currently sitting at seventh.
Champagnie’s two points per game from the line might not seem like much on the surface, but in a league where possessions are precious and margins are thin, those points matter. They help keep the offense afloat when the shots aren’t falling.
They create foul trouble for opponents. And they give the Spurs a more balanced attack, especially when their primary scorers are out or struggling.
What’s more, this development is coming during what’s shaping up to be a career season for Champagnie. With more minutes and responsibilities due to injuries, he’s showing he can contribute in ways that go beyond catch-and-shoot threes. He’s evolving - and in doing so, he’s helping the Spurs’ offense evolve with him.
The Bigger Picture
In a season that’s been about growth, experimentation, and finding silver linings amid adversity, Julian Champagnie is emerging as one of the Spurs’ most dependable pieces. His ability to stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and now generate offense through contact on jumpers adds a layer of versatility that every team needs - especially one as young and developing as San Antonio.
It’s not the kind of skill that gets plastered across headlines, but it’s the kind that wins possessions. And in the NBA, enough of those can win games. The Spurs are still figuring out who they are, but with players like Champagnie finding new ways to contribute, they’re building toward something real.