[Orsborn] “I thought it was over, I ain’t going to lie to you,” Champagnie said, recalling how emotional he was when the Sixers let him go… “I was always told how small the window is to kind of get your foot in the league… getting waived with no warning, no explanation or anything, it was tough”
“I thought it was over, I ain’t going to lie to you,” the forward said, recalling how emotional he was when the Sixers let him go as a 21-year-old undrafted rookie out of St. John’s.
“I was always told how small the window is to kind of get your foot in the league and stay here and make a career for yourself. So getting waived with no warning, no explanation or anything, it was tough,” he added.
When the Spurs signed him two days later, Champagnie had new hope.
“I put my head down said, ‘Make it work. Whatever they give you, make it work. Whatever they need you to do, make it work, and just find that spot on the team,’” Champagnie said.
Three-plus years later, the kid from Brooklyn is heading to the NBA Finals.
“I love my teammates, love the coach, staff, love everybody in the organization,” he said. “It’s a great place to be. There’s no better place that I could be, honestly, truly. So big shout out to the San Antonio Spurs taking an opportunity on a kid from Brooklyn.”