Julian Strawther Bio
Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero, born on April 18, 2002, is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 205 pounds, he plays as a forward and has quickly established himself as a versatile scorer. After a standout college career at Gonzaga, Strawther was selected 29th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and traded to Denver, where he continues to develop into a reliable rotation piece.
Early Life and Background
Julian Strawther was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, growing up in a close-knit family with deep roots in the local community. He was nine years old when his mother, Lourdes, passed away from breast cancer, an experience that shaped his determination and drive on the basketball court. His older sister, Paris, played college basketball at UNLV, further embedding sports into the family culture. Julian’s paternal grandfather, Edward, served as a lieutenant colonel in World War II and later founded the Las Vegas Sentinel, one of only two African-American newspapers in Nevada, giving the family a proud legacy of service and entrepreneurship.
Path to Basketball
Strawther attended Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada, where he quickly emerged as one of the top prep prospects in the country. As a junior, he averaged 27.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and he elevated his production as a senior to 31.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, earning Southeast League co-MVP honors. He famously scored 51 points against Apollo High School at the HoopHall West Invitational, setting an event record, and left Liberty as the school’s all-time leader in points and rebounds. A consensus four-star recruit, Strawther chose to play college basketball at Gonzaga over offers from Marquette, Florida, and UNLV.
Julian Strawther Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
As a freshman at Gonzaga, Strawther averaged 3.4 points per game while serving as the backup to Corey Kispert. Despite his limited role, he gained valuable experience on a Bulldogs squad that reached the national championship game. On November 15, 2021, he showed flashes of his scoring potential with 18 points in an 84–57 win over Alcorn State, giving coaches a glimpse of what was to come.
During his sophomore season, Strawther took a major leap forward, averaging 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He initially declared for the 2022 NBA Draft following the season but ultimately withdrew his name and returned to Gonzaga to continue refining his game. The decision to go back to school proved pivotal in his development as a confident scorer and rebounder.
Gonzaga Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Strawther’s junior year at Gonzaga cemented his reputation as a clutch performer. On January 28, 2023, he erupted for a career-high 40 points in an 82–67 victory over Portland, showcasing his deep shooting range and ability to score from all three levels. His efforts that season earned him First-team All-WCC honors, validating his status as one of the conference’s elite players.
One of the defining moments of his college career came in the 2023 NCAA Tournament against UCLA, when Strawther drained a 35-foot basket to give Gonzaga the lead with just six seconds remaining. The Bulldogs held on to win and advance to the Elite Eight, with Strawther’s heroics becoming an instant classic in tournament history. He declared for the 2023 NBA Draft shortly after, ending his collegiate career on a high note.
Denver Nuggets Era (2023–Present)
Strawther was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets. He was officially signed by the team on July 6, 2023, joining a championship contender fresh off their NBA title run. In his rookie season, he adjusted to the professional level while learning the Nuggets’ system and finding his role within a deep rotation.
During his sophomore season in 2024–2025, Strawther became a prominent part of the Denver rotation, averaging over 20 minutes per game. On January 21, 2025, he set a new career high with 23 points in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, signaling his growing confidence. He continued to deliver in high-pressure moments, including a pivotal 15-point performance in 14 minutes during Game 6 of the Nuggets’ second-round playoff matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 15, 2025, helping keep Denver’s season alive despite an eventual Game 7 loss.
Driving Style and Strengths
Strawther is known for his smooth shooting stroke, especially from beyond the arc, where his range stretches defenses well past the three-point line. At 6 feet 6 inches, he combines size with athleticism, allowing him to score over smaller defenders and rebound effectively against bigger ones. His poise in clutch moments and willingness to take big shots have made him a trusted option in late-game situations for the Nuggets.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Strawther’s signature achievements is his 40-point performance against Portland in 2023 and his 35-foot buzzer-beating shot against UCLA in the NCAA Tournament. In the NBA, his 23-point game against the 76ers in January 2025 stands as his career high, and his 15-point fourth-quarter surge against the Thunder in the 2025 playoffs highlighted his ability to rise to the occasion. Each of these moments has helped establish him as a player capable of changing the outcome of a game in an instant.
Julian Strawther Career Wins
Julian Strawther’s career has been defined less by championship trophies at the professional level and more by individual scoring milestones and signature performances. His high school, college, and NBA journeys each featured memorable wins and record-setting efforts that showcased his scoring ability. As he continues to grow with the Denver Nuggets, he is building a resume filled with clutch shots and career-high performances.
Gonzaga Highlights
During his three seasons at Gonzaga, Strawther played in numerous wins across the West Coast Conference and NCAA Tournament. His 40-point game against Portland on January 28, 2023, stands as one of the most impressive individual scoring performances in program history. He also played a key role in Gonzaga’s run to the 2021 national championship game as a freshman and helped lead the Bulldogs to the Elite Eight in 2023 with his buzzer-beater against UCLA.
Other Wins & Performances
At the international level, Strawther has represented Puerto Rico, drawing on his mother’s Puerto Rican ancestry. At the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, he averaged 22 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, helping his team finish in sixth place, and he recorded 40 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the fifth-place game against Russia. His high school career at Liberty featured 51 points in a single HoopHall West Invitational game, setting an event record.
Julian Strawther Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Julian Strawther comes from a family with strong athletic and civic roots. His older sister, Paris, played college basketball at UNLV, paving the way for Julian’s own basketball journey. His paternal grandfather, Edward, served as a lieutenant colonel in World War II and founded the Las Vegas Sentinel, one of two African-American newspapers in Nevada, giving the family a proud tradition of leadership and community service.
Personal Life
Strawther maintains a close relationship with his family, particularly his sister Paris, who was among his earliest basketball influences. Despite being born and raised in Las Vegas, he represents Puerto Rico in international competition in honor of his late mother, Lourdes, who passed away from breast cancer when Julian was just nine years old. He continues to carry her memory with him in every step of his basketball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–2025 NBA season marked Strawther’s sophomore campaign with the Denver Nuggets and his most significant role yet. Averaging over 20 minutes per game, he provided consistent scoring and shooting off the bench, giving the Nuggets a reliable spark on offense. His career-high 23 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 21, 2025, was a major highlight of the regular season and showed his continued growth as a scorer.
Strawther saved his most dramatic performance for the playoffs. On May 15, 2025, in Game 6 of the second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 15 points in the final 14 minutes of an elimination game, nearly single-handedly keeping Denver’s season alive. Although the Nuggets ultimately fell in Game 7, his play cemented his reputation as a clutch performer capable of thriving under pressure.
Looking ahead, Strawther is positioned to take on an even larger role with the Nuggets as he enters his third professional season. With his combination of size, shooting, and poise, he remains a key piece of Denver’s rotation and a player with significant upside. His continued development will be a storyline to watch as the Nuggets pursue another championship run.