Gonzaga's Julian Strawther declares for 2023 NBA Draft
Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther has officially declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.
Strawther, a junior, tested the NBA waters after his sophomore season before deciding to return to Gonzaga for the 2022-23 season. He averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while helping lead the Zags to the Elite Eight.
A 6-foot-7 wing from Henderson High School in Nevada, Strawther hit one of the biggest shots in the 2023 NCAA Tournament when he drilled a last-second three-point to lift Gonzaga to a 78-76 win over UCLA in the Sweet 16.
Gonzaga Nation SI recently surveyed NBA front office executives about Strawther's pro potential. Here is what they had to say:
NBA Executive No. 1: Strawther has a translatable skill with his shooting ability and he has enough size for a wing position too. He knows how to play off of playmakers and his shooting will give those guys more space in the NBA. He can put it on the deck a little too, which makes him more than just a one dimensional catch and shoot threat. He's a serviceable defender and seems smart enough to accept and understand his role.
NBA Executive No. 2: I liked Strawther last year after the Duke game and then his play tailed off in the second half of the season. He has a chance to be a rotation player as a 3-and-D wing. He has good measurables, a good spirit about him and he plays with a good motor. Strawther will be drafted before Timme.
NBA Executive No. 3: Strawther's frame and athleticism is unsatisfying. He's doughy, not strong enough. When he gets in a rhythm, he's smart with using screens and finding space. He's got one of the best runners/floaters in the country. He doesn't have the ability to finish over/through bigs so that floater is important. Shooting is Strawther's strength. He makes tough shots on the move. Sometimes he's too nonchalant and undisciplined defensively. He's not super quick. He has a great wingspan, but doesn't use it enough. I see him as a bench guy in the NBA. He has the size, length and shooting to carve out a role. It comes down to will he defend. He'll have the chance to show if he can be a good shooter or an elite shooter.
