DENVER — Like every student that finishes their time in college, Julian Strawther is off to start his career.
"All of a sudden you have a new job! It's your first job," Strawther said.
Except his job description is a bit different than most.
"It's crazy when Nikola Jokić is looking for you on the skip pass or he's coming through you to play two man game," Strawther said.
Strawther was taken by the Denver Nuggets with the 29th pick in the 2023 draft. It was a pick the Nuggets traded up for to take the former Bulldog, showing confidence in the 6'6" shooting guard from the start.
"How much belief everybody in the staff has in me and the front office. I mean, they've been giving me green light to be great and they're pushing me in that direction. Even all the vets in the locker room," Strawther said. "I've enjoyed every last bit of my my process as a rookie so far."
Strawther's had a solid start to his rookie campaign, averaging 5.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in his 13.9 minutes on the floor per game. He's scored in double-figures nine times, including two games over 20 points, all while coming off the bench.
He couldn't imagine a better team to start his career with.
"It's a perfect fit. Just in terms of how I feel the way everyone meshes well together and there's no locker room ego's," Strawther said. "It reminds me of my time at Gonzaga."
Another reminder of his time at Gonzaga is seeing multiple teammates playing on opposing teams, which Strawther says is his favorite part of being a pro.
"It's probably just seeing everybody else that's made it up here," Strawther said. "Just seeing everybody living out their dreams. I feel like it's the coolest thing ever. You know, to just play against Jalen Suggs and Chet (Holmgren) and you know, just sharing the floor with them. As we're all just living out our dreams. I feel like it's the coolest thing ever."
While he is miles away, Strawther is keeping tabs on Gonzaga's season and still talks with his former teammates.
Despite the Zags falling out of the AP rankings for the first time in eight years, he still has faith in his Bulldogs.
"You know, it's about how you finish the year it's not about how you start. It's about how you're playing in March," Strawther said. "I'm still all behind my guys, regardless of what everybody's saying. I think we got a good shot."
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