NBA Draft Scouting Report: Gonzaga's Julian Strawther
Julian Strawther
Guard | Gonzaga
Height: 6'7” | Weight: 210 lbs
2023 Draft Age: 21.17
James Snook / USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
Although Strawther will be entering the 2023 NBA Draft after three college seasons, his age shouldn’t turn teams away. He entered the 2022 NBA Draft but opted to bet on himself and spend one more season at Gonzaga.
He’s built like a wing, but can also play the off-ball guard spot which opens up his versatility on both ends.
Strawther improved as a 3-point shooter in every college season, eclipsing 40% from deep as a junior. His shot is somewhat unorthodox, but that doesn’t worry us long-term. He gets good elevation on his jumper which will help moving forward. His free throw shooting is also improving which can often be an indicator of future shooting success.
The 6-foot-7 prospect was once again thrown into a much larger role last year, but thrived with the new opportunity. He was a great positional rebounder, even on a team with dominant bigs.
What’s promising about Strawther is his understanding of roles. Although he came to Gonzaga as a big recruit, he doesn’t try to do too much. He takes generally takes good shots within the flow of the offense, which is a huge reason he is so efficient. He doesn’t force shots near the rim, allowing the offense to come to him.
As a defender, Strawther has a ton of quickness and covers a lot of ground. He’s active on that end of the floor and should have no problem being an effective defender at the NBA level.
Gonzaga is a fantastic system that produces NBA talent nearly every season. As he's been able to emerge as a cornerstone of the team alongside Drew Timme, Strawther has earned some late first-round buzz.
He represents Puerto Rico at the international level, which has been another chance for him to showcase his skills.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Early Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.
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