Overview:

Julian Strawther is a four level scoring small forward.   Strawther is an elite mid range shot maker who has mastered the floater.  Strawther is a highly efficient shooter on lower than average volume.  He should have an increased role for Gonzaga now that two starters have left for the NBA.  2022-23 will be Strawther’s junior season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

NBA skill:  Shooting

Note:  Prospects compared to statistical averages of drafted NBA players (2017-2022), by position, from their last college season.

Guards = Below 6’5″

Wings = 6’6″ to 6’9″

Posts = Above 6’10”

Blue      Comparable to average drafted NBA players by position.

Green  Exceeds the average drafted NBA players by position.

Red      Below the average of drafted NBA players by position.

Darker color signifies a greater statistical variance.

Offense:

Julian Strawther is an intriguing small forward who has shown a glimpse of transferable skill to the next level.  Strawthers splits are 49 / 37 / 70 which indicates that he is an efficient scorer (although he needs to improve his three point shooting.  What makes Strawther compelling is his deft touch in the mid range.  He has an array of soft touch finishes.  The floater is his go-to. Leaving help-side shot blockers frustrated as Strawther’s shots float like a butterfly over their outstretched hands.  His floaters are a work of art.  

Strawther’s low overall shooting volume, only 8.5 FGA, is partly due to playing alongside two 2022 NBA draft selections.  This season, 2022-23, Strawther should play a more significant role for the Bulldogs. All of Strawther’s shot types should go up.  

Strawther shooting stroke is fluide with a high release and consistent hands.  His footwork is consistent and balanced.  Strawthers Shot Mix is Excellent in three areas; Jumpers (1.1 Points Per Play), At the Rim (1.35 PPP) and Runner (1.43 PPP)

Another aspect that makes Strawther an intriguing prospect is he is Very Good at the most common NBA actions.  66% of Strawther’s Play Types are Spot Ups (.96 PPP, VG), Transition (1.2 PPP, VG) and Cuts (1.43 PPP, Excellent).  Granted, the game is not played on a stat sheet, but when a player is as efficient as Strawther, that efficiency must be considered.  

The biggest question for Strawther for the 2022-23 season is can he continue THIS LEVEL of efficiency on higher shot volume?

Wanna sees:

Higher volume of threes

Continued shooting efficiency

Assists and Decision Making

Julian Strawther’s role on last year’s Bulldog team was as a third or fourth option.  With a larger role in the 2022-23 season he will need to increase his Assist numbers a bit.  Strawther is not a shot creator but it would be nice to able to show shot creation in the coming season.

Wanna see

Grab and go to push tempo in transition

Good decision making in Pick and Roll Handler

Rebounding and defense

Strawther would be well served to increase his rebounding production.  Players that need shots created for them must bring an extra level of energy and production to impacting winning.  Rebounding and defense is the best pathway to achieve that goal.

Defensively, Strawther moves his feet well in isolation.  However, he does not play passing lane well.  He does not get steal or deflections to be disruptive defensively.  Given his size and length he should be able to get a lot more blocks per game than last season. Strawther’s 1.7% Combo (STL% + BLK%) is one of the lowest in comparison to NBA prospects today and much much lower than previously drafted NBA players who play on the wing.

Wanna sees

Increase rebounding production to at least 7.5 per game

Increase blocks

Increase steals

Tier of 2023 draft prediction: Low First Round