Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero Bio
Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero (born April 18, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-foot-6 shooting guard was selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft before being traded to Denver on draft night. Strawther played three seasons of college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs from 2020 to 2023, where he developed into a prolific scorer and earned First Team All-West Coast Conference honors as a junior. He represents Puerto Rico at the international level through his mother’s ancestry.
Early Life and Background
Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero was born on April 18, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He grew up in Henderson, Nevada, where he attended Liberty High School. Strawther was nine years old when his mother, Lourdes, passed away from breast cancer. His older sister, Paris Strawther, went on to play college basketball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Strawther’s family background includes significant military and journalistic heritage—his paternal grandfather, Edward Strawther, served as a lieutenant colonel in World War II and founded the Las Vegas Sentinel, one of two African-American newspapers in Nevada.
Despite the personal tragedy in his family, Strawther emerged as a standout basketball player during his high school years in Henderson. His performances at Liberty High School drew attention from college programs across the country, establishing him as one of the top prospects in Nevada.
Path to Basketball
During his junior season at Liberty High School, Strawther averaged 27.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to score at a high volume while also contributing on the boards. His senior year saw even more impressive numbers, as he averaged 31.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, earning Southeast League co-MVP honors. In a standout performance at the HoopHall West Invitational, Strawther scored 51 points against Apollo High School, setting an event record.
Strawther departed Liberty High School as the school’s all-time leader in both points and rebounds. A consensus four-star recruit, he attracted scholarship offers from several major programs before ultimately choosing to continue his basketball career at Gonzaga University. He selected the Bulldogs over final candidates Marquette, Florida, and UNLV.
Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero Career
College Career at Gonzaga (2020–2023)
Strawther began his collegiate career with the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2020-2021 season. As a freshman, he served primarily as a backup to starting forward Corey Kispert, averaging 3.4 points per game. Despite his limited role, he was part of a Bulldogs team that reached the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament national championship game.
His sophomore season in 2021-2022 marked a significant jump in production, with Strawther averaging 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while earning increased minutes in the rotation. Following the season, he declared for the 2022 NBA draft but ultimately chose to return to Gonzaga for his junior year, a decision that would prove pivotal to his development.
The 2022-2023 season became Strawther’s breakout campaign. On January 28, 2023, he scored a career-high 40 points in an 82-67 victory over Portland. During the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Strawther delivered one of the most memorable moments of his college career when he made a 35-foot go-ahead basket with six seconds remaining against UCLA, propelling Gonzaga to the quarterfinals. For the season, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, earning First Team All-West Coast Conference honors. He subsequently declared for the 2023 NBA draft, concluding his three-year collegiate career.
Professional Career
Strawther was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. On draft night, he was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets, the defending NBA champions. The Nuggets officially signed Strawther to his rookie contract on July 6, 2023.
During his rookie season, Strawther appeared in limited games as he adjusted to the professional level. He was also assigned to the Grand Rapids Gold, Denver’s NBA G League affiliate, for developmental experience. His sophomore season in 2024-2025 represented a breakthrough, as he became a regular part of the Nuggets’ rotation, averaging over 20 minutes per game.
On January 21, 2025, Strawther recorded a career-high 23 points in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. His most significant professional moment came during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In Game 6 of the Nuggets’ second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Strawther scored 15 pivotal points within the final 14 minutes of the elimination game, helping keep Denver’s season alive despite the team ultimately losing in Game Seven.
Playing Style and Strengths
Strawther is listed at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) and weighs 205 pounds (93 kilograms), giving him the size to play both shooting guard and small forward positions. His scoring ability was evident throughout his career, from his high school days where he averaged over 30 points per game to his 40-point performance at Gonzaga. He has demonstrated three-point shooting range and the ability to create his own shot, as evidenced by his dramatic game-winning three against UCLA in the NCAA Tournament. His rebounding instincts, particularly for a guard, have been a consistent part of his game since his high school days when he averaged double-digit rebounds.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several defining moments have shaped Strawther’s career trajectory. His 51-point performance at the HoopHall West Invitational during high school announced him as an elite prospect. At the collegiate level, his game-winning shot against UCLA in the 2023 NCAA Tournament cemented his reputation as a clutch performer in high-pressure situations. In his second professional season, his 23-point game against Philadelphia and his playoff heroics against Oklahoma City demonstrated his growing ability to impact winning at the highest level.
International Career
Despite being born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Strawther represents Puerto Rico at the international level due to his mother’s Puerto Rican ancestry. He debuted for Puerto Rico’s under-19 team at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. During the tournament, Strawther averaged 22 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, helping Puerto Rico finish in sixth place. In the fifth-place game against Russia, he delivered an extraordinary individual performance, recording 40 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero Career Statistics
Strawther has accumulated professional experience across the NBA and NBA G League while continuing to develop his game at the highest level of basketball.
College Statistics Highlights
During his three seasons at Gonzaga, Strawther showed consistent improvement year over year. His scoring output increased from 3.4 points per game as a freshman to 15.2 points per game as a junior. His rebounding also improved significantly, jumping from under one rebound per game to 6.2 rebounds per game. The progression demonstrated his development from a limited role player into a primary option capable of carrying an offense.
NBA Professional Career
Since joining the Denver Nuggets in 2023, Strawther has appeared in regular season games while also gaining experience through NBA G League assignment to the Grand Rapids Gold. His sophomore season saw him become a consistent rotation player, logging over 20 minutes per game and recording his first career 20-point game. His playoff performance in the 2025 postseason, particularly his scoring burst in Game 6 against Oklahoma City, provided evidence of his ability to elevate his play when the stakes are highest.
Family
Family Background
Strawther grew up in a family with deep roots in Nevada and a rich legacy of service and achievement. His mother, Lourdes, passed away from breast cancer when Julian was nine years old, a loss that shaped his character and approach to the game. His older sister, Paris Strawther, followed her own basketball path, playing college basketball at UNLV in Las Vegas.
His paternal grandfather, Edward Strawther, served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army during World War II. Beyond his military service, Edward was a notable figure in the Las Vegas community, founding the Las Vegas Sentinel, one of two African-American newspapers operating in Nevada. This legacy of excellence and service has influenced Julian Strawther’s development both on and off the court.
Personal Life
Strawther maintains a connection to his Puerto Rican heritage through his mother’s side of the family, which enabled him to represent Puerto Rico internationally. He continues to reside in Denver while playing for the Nuggets. His social media presence includes an Instagram account where he engages with fans. Strawther’s professional career remains active following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 NBA season, during which he established himself as a regular rotation player for a championship-contending team.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-2025 NBA season marked a significant turning point in Julian Strawther’s professional career. After a rookie season spent learning the professional game and developing his body, Strawther earned a consistent role in the Denver Nuggets’ rotation during his second year. His average of over 20 minutes per game represented a substantial increase from his first season, demonstrating the trust the coaching staff placed in his abilities.
Strawther’s season included several highlight performances, most notably his career-high 23-point game against the Philadelphia 76ers in January 2025. The game showcased his scoring ability and efficiency at the professional level. As the regular season concluded and the playoffs began, Strawther’s role remained significant for a Nuggets team with championship aspirations.
The postseason brought the most memorable stretch of Strawther’s young career. Facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, the Nuggets found themselves in a tight series. In Game 6, with elimination looming, Strawther delivered an extraordinary fourth-quarter performance, scoring 15 points in the final 14 minutes to help Denver force a Game 7. While the Nuggets ultimately fell short in the series, Strawther’s playoff emergence solidified his place in Denver’s core rotation for seasons to come. His combination of scoring ability, basketball IQ, and clutch performance under pressure positions him as a valuable piece for the Nuggets’ future.