Q. Now that you've had your best season yet, signed a contract, what kind of role do you think you could play on this team next year?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: I think staying consistent in what I've been doing, be that energy guy, that glue guy for the team, knocking down open shots, take the drive, rebounding the basketball, play defense, bring a level of toughness out there. Those are my main focuses. That's my role right now. That's what I'm trying to excel in.
If more opportunity opens up, I'm always there for it. I'll always ready for it. But I think being there for my team for sure.
Q. Which one of your teammates inspired you the most and why?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: This year?
Q. Uh-huh.
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: Whew... I've known Smart for a couple years. I played with him in Boston. Just his approach to the game, his love for the game, his energy around everybody. It kind of just like inspiration, you know?
Tough, hard-nosed dude. Plays defense. Kind of does some of the things I do out there. Just seeing him and feeling his energy around the gym has made me, like, want to wake up and step into that role and be that kind of player for the team.
Q. What did you learn during the G League season that helped you do so well in the NBA?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: I think the biggest thing that I learned from the G League this year was perseverance and resilience. I think knowing that it's not always going to be pretty and perfect, but as long as you keep fighting and keep trying, keep your head down and go for the goals that you have, you can get there.
Q. You put up some crazy numbers over the last five games. What did that do for your confidence?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: Confidence booster. I've always known that I've had it in me to go out there and do that. But it definitely made me feel good. End the season on a good note, going into next year, trying to take that into the summertime, trying to continue to work on my game.
Q. You mentioned having known that you can do it. Has there been anything where you surprised yourself that you've done in the NBA?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: I think my shooting. I think that I put a lot of work in this summer, this past summer, on my shooting. Kind of seeing it come to light in the game is definitely something I was like, Wow, I can actually turn myself into an NBA-level shooter, having teams respect me on that level.
Q. You've come a long way as a shooter, especially since college. What did it take to have this breakthrough? What did that hard work look like?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: I will say that hard work probably looked a lot like a lot of tears some days, a lot of frustrations, but also a lot of blood and sweat as well with the tears.
Going into G League games kind of just day in and day out forging my mindset that you can get there and do all these things, kind of having an unbreakable confidence, undying belief in myself that I can get to where I got to get to.
It took a lot, four years, five years from college. Here now. Trying to keep it going.
Q. We heard the story you told us about playing one on one against Bub. Kind of had a feeling he'd make it to the NBA. Being his teammate for a year now, what stood out?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: His energy. Aside from his play, his energy. He is probably one of the most playful people I've been around since I've been in college. Never a dull moment with him, even when he's going through his own personal problems. He's always there for the team, always making sure everyone has a smile on their face. Very mature for his young age.
He has a super, super, super bright future ahead of him.
Q. What was the team allowing you to do that they weren't earlier in the season? How did your role change on offense?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: We went (indiscernible) they told me to go out there, play your game, have fun, do what you do. I feel like I was able to just kind of take the shots that I felt were in rhythm or felt like were aligned with the things that I've done previously in the G League.
But my coaches always tell me to go out there and play my game and be who you are. I think the lack of bodies is kind of just why it all played out the way it played out.
But the rebounding I need. I need those balls in the air. JC needs that (smiling). But yeah, it was cool to end the season out like that, just go into the summertime.
Q. What did the team want you to focus on this off-season and what are the areas you're trying to improve the most?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: I think my game is pretty simple. Shoot open threes, drive, rebound, play defense. I think honing in on those areas and turning them from good to great, I think that's my goal for this next season, my jump. Coming back and being able to play and plug in with any group and guard anybody on the court.
Q. What are your expectations for yourself this next season?
JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE: I think just coming in from the jump and trying to establish myself, you know? Trying to carve out a role for myself early in the year, try to keep that role and be consistent in that role throughout the whole 82 games.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports