Ex-Pitt forward Justin Champagnie said he expects to be drafted, but knows that's only the beginning

Justin Champagnie said the thought hasn’t crossed his mind.

Yet, when presented Thursday with the possibility that he might not be among the 60 players drafted into the NBA on July 29, the former Pitt forward had a well-considered answer.

Speaking from the Petersen Events Center on a conference call with reporters, he said, “Me, personally, I don’t see my name not being called. I try to live life in a positive sense.

“In the feedback I got, I don’t think that’s going to be my issue. At the same time, if that is, then I’ll keep my head high and I’ll keep working and give it my all.”

Champagnie said he received an assurance from a team that he would be its pick if he’s available in the second round. “I’m not going to say what team,” he said.

He also declined to identify that team merely by its color scheme. “Color schemes would give it away,” he said. “Color schemes would give it way away. I’m pretty confident. I’m just going to roll with that.”

After only two seasons at Pitt, Champagnie, 20, said he’s ready for the NBA, a belief spawned by an impressive sophomore season. He led the ACC in rebounding (11 per game) at 6-foot-5 ¾ (his height at the NBA Combine), and finished second in scoring (18). He played well at the Combine last month, totaling 28 points, with 20 rebounds, in his first two games.

“I just knew it was time for me,” he said of the decision to leave when he would have been a leading candidate for ACC Player of the Year.

“I spoke to (coach Jeff) Capel, I want to say, every day in those weeks leading up to (the decision),” he said. “I spoke to my agent (Jeff Ramasar of Life Sports agency in Los Angeles), as well. They both felt I had a good chance to make my dreams come true. I just ran with it, really, and just believed in myself and believed in the work I put in.”

Projected as a second-round choice by many analysts, Champagnie spent much of the spring working out in Los Angeles. He said he started his day at 5 a.m., was in the weight room by 7, on the court by 9, and was putting up more shots at 6 p.m.

He said he realizes he needs to improve his shooting and ball-handling. Above all, however, he believes “in being me.”

“Do what I do best. Show them I have the potential to be even better.”

He’s been to 11 NBA cities for workouts, and plans to visit Milwaukee and Brooklyn (his hometown) before the draft.

His schedule is hectic, but he said he remains calm by speaking to his family.

“They keep me going. It’s rough. But it’s the life I signed up for,” he said. (Twin brother Julian also assessed his NBA future before deciding to return to St. John’s.)

“I’m stronger than what I thought I was,” Champagnie said. “This is not an easy process. I commend myself for going to do it, making the decision and just believing in myself and being able to go from city to city and put on a show every day in the gym.”

He is aware of another hard truth. “The work doesn’t stop when you hear your name called,” he said. “It’s going to be rough going up against guys who’ve been playing in the league, guys who are stronger and faster. It’s all about adapting and I think I’m pretty good at that.

“You have to find your specific role on the team. Nobody is going to sit there and say ‘Oh, you have to do this.’ You have to figure it out for yourself. At this point, it’s a job. It’s not like college.”

Through the process, he said he’s been compared to Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns and Bruce Brown of the Brooklyn Nets.

“Someone who comes in the game, has a bunch of energy, is that dog, wants to guard whoever, all-around tough player,” he said.

He said NBA teams have asked him if he planned to transfer from Pitt if he stayed in school.

“No. I would never leave. This is my home,” he said. “I love Pitt. Pitt was the best two years of my life.”

He said he speaks to Pitt guard Femi Odukale several times a week.

He also took note of the NCAA’s name, image and license legislation that came one year too late for him.

“I feel like I could have made a living off of that, as well,” he said, laughing.

“But I just want to follow my dream. I’m good at making decisions for myself and I feel like I made the right one.”

He plans to spend draft night with his family, and is not too proud to admit, “I might shed a tear.”

“Because I put in a lot of hard work to get there.”