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For 17 years, Justin and Julian Champagnie were inseparable.

They developed into quality basketball recruits together, attending high school side by side and playing in the same AAU program. They were each known as “twin,” because it was so hard to tell the skilled wings from Brooklyn apart. The plan was for the bunk-bed roommates to go to the next level together too, possibly become college stars like Cody and Caleb Martin or Brook and Robin Lopez after going to prep school for a year.

One day, that all changed. Pittsburgh wanted Justin. Julian wasn’t ready for college, he thought.

“I was upset, only because we had a plan, a plan to go post-grad and go somewhere together,” the 6-foot-7 Julian said.

As it turns out, that decision may have been the best thing that could’ve happened to either one. Both are enjoying strong freshman seasons, Justin at Pittsburgh and Julian at home for St. John’s where his father Ranford was a soccer star. In 31 minutes per game, Justin is averaging 11.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals for Pittsburgh while shooting 41.9 percent. Julian is producing 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 46.6 percent as a part-time starter in 24 minutes per game. They are no longer known as “twin.” They have become individuals, no longer grouped together, key pieces for their respective rebuilding programs.

“It was the right thing for us to split apart,” Justin said.

After Justin committed to Pittsburgh last March, Julian was still planning to do a post-grad year. But then St. John’s hired a new coaching staff which included assistant coach Van Macon. Macon had known Julian since he was a sophomore at Bishop Loughlin and the Red Storm wanted him right away. By then, playing with his brother was no longer something he wanted to do. Staying close to home as part of the future of his hometown school was appealing and so was continuing his father’s legacy, only in a different sport.

“I grew up on St. John’s,” he said at the time of his decision. “I went to soccer camps there until I was 12.”

The two 18-year-olds described the transition without the other as difficult. Julian said he “felt alone” initially. They were always each other’s best coach and most important motivator. When one was down, the other was always there to pick him up. Now they have to rely on FaceTime conversations — sometimes spending as much as four hours a day on the phone.

Instead, they critique each other from afar. Julian will watch Justin play and text him suggestions in real time, so not to forget anything. Justin does the same. When Justin was struggling earlier in the season, Julian knew it was because his brother was disappointed he wasn’t seeing the ball enough. He told him to do other things, focus on rebounding and playing defense. When Julian went through similar struggles, his brother emphasized the need for him to be more aggressive.

For the family, it’s also been a challenge. Ranford and Christina, the twins’ mom, have been to Pittsburgh a few times, but they’ve seen a lot more of Julian obviously. When they play at the same time, and the family is at Julian’s game, Christina will tape Justin’s game. There are two televisions in the house, so that solves the problem of having to choose between the two.

“We have everyone watching — grandparents, aunts, uncles,” Christina said. “I’m grateful they’re both playing at a Division I level and they’re both following their dreams. If it was together, it would’ve been great. But as long as they’re doing what they wanted to do [I’m happy].”

The only discernible difference between the two is Justin has an Afro, while Julian’s hair is closely cropped. On the court, Justin was always known as the better scorer and shooter, a more aggressive player. Julian’s rebounding and defense were his strengths. Off the floor, Justin is loud and outgoing, never holding anything back. Julian is low-key and quiet.

“He needs a bigger support system,” Justin said of Julian.

Although St. John’s and Pittsburgh are no longer in the same conference, and neither looks to be an NCAA Tournament team this year, there is a chance the two could meet in the NIT, if both teams qualify. There is also the possibility of the two power-conference foes scheduling a non-conference game. Justin has suggested it to his coach, Jeff Capel. Julian plans to broach the subject with his coach, Mike Anderson, following the season. The twins have never faced each other in a game.

“I tell him every day if we played him, we’d wax Pittsburgh,” Julian said with a laugh. “That would be fun.”

The two are fierce competitors. Justin doesn’t let a day go by without reminding his brother he’s putting up better statistics. At home, they’ll argue about everything, however inconsequential. They compare grades. Scrabble games often lead to heated arguments. That’s part of what drives them, to one-up their twin. It remains there, only at a distance.

“I feel like it was the best time for us to kind of make our own path and go our separate ways,” Julian said.

That doesn’t mean they’ve given up on playing with each other again. It just won’t happen in college, both said. Justin is happy at Pittsburgh and Julian is enjoying St. John’s. But they have down-the-road-goals of playing professionally. It’s part of their daily phone conversations.

“Every day I dream about it, hope about it, pray about it,” Justin said. “One day we’ll play together again.”

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