After winning the 2023 NBA title, the Nuggets lost a few key contributors via free agency. To replace the production lost, Denver will rely on a group of rookies to contribute almost immediately, a tall task for any first-year player.
Headlining the group of Nuggets rookies is Julian Strawther, a sharpshooting wing who turned plenty of heads with his play in the preseason. Over four exhibition games, Strawther averaged 17.8 points while shooting 45.2 percent from 3-point range.
Strawther is more than just a shooter, as Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has been complimentary of the rookie's buy-in on the defensive end. As important as defense is for contending teams, that may be just what gets Strawther serious playing time from Day 1.
Here's everything you need to know about Denver's rookie standout.
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Who is Julian Strawther?
Julian Strawther is a rookie for the Nuggets. Strawther was selected 29th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and acquired by Denver in a draft-night trade.
While he was born and raised in Las Vegas, Strawther is of Puerto Rican descent and represents Puerto Rico internationally. Strawther attended Liberty High School in Henderson Nev. and was a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports.
As the 79th-ranked prospect in the high school class of 2020, Strawther chose Gonzaga over other major Division 1 schools including Florida, Florida State and Washington.
Julian Strawther college
Julian Strawther spent three seasons playing at Gonzaga University, becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore.
During his first two seasons, Strawther shared the spotlight with a number of notable players in Corey Kispert, Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard and Chet Holmgren. After testing the NBA Draft waters following his sophomore year, Strawther returned to school and made a major leap as a junior.
Playing alongside Drew Timme, Strawther helped lead the Zags to a 31-6 record with averages of 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 40.8 percent from 3-point range. For his efforts, Strawther earned First-Team All-West Coast Conference honors.
In addition to a 40-point explosion in a conference win over Portland, Strawther's biggest highlight came in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where he hit a deep game-winning triple in his hometown.
JULIAN STRAWTHER WINS IT FOR GONZAGA 😱
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 24, 2023
🎥: @MarchMadnessMBB pic.twitter.com/uGI9RZVAf2
Gonzaga would fall to eventual National Champion UConn in the Elite Eight.
MORE: The Sporting News ranks the top 30 players in the NBA
Julian Strawther NBA Draft
Julian Strawther was selected 29th overall by the Pacers in the 2023 NBA Draft. As part of a draft-day trade, the rights to Strawther and his rookie classmates Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson were traded to the Nuggets in exchange for the draft rights of Mojave King.
Here is what Sporting News NBA Draft expert Kyle Irving had to say about the pick at the time:
The Nuggets have done it again. One year after landing a playoff contributor in Christian Braun with the 21st pick, Denver lands another plug-and-play upperclassman in Strawther. The Gonzaga wing is a lethal 3-point shooter who will thrive off of passers like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Four months later, Strawther has an opportunity to thrive off of his teammates on opening night.
