- 10/28/2024 4:16:58 AM
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Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) dribbles the ball to the basket under pressure from San Francisco Dons guard Khalil Shabazz (0) in the first half of a West Coast Conference males's basketball semifinal video game at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Monday, March 6, 2023. (Erik Verduzco/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) warms up before the start of a West Coast Conference men's basketball semifinal video game against the San Francisco Dons at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Monday, March 6, 2023. (Erik Verduzco/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) is introduced before the start of a West Coast Conference guys's basketball semifinal video game against the San Francisco Dons at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Monday, March 6, 2023.
It snowed Monday early morning in Spokane, Washington, making Julian Strawther's annual West Coast Conference tournament trip house to Las Vegas a lot more prompt than typical.
He evaded the aspects. Returned to his aspect.
Maybe for the final time as a college basketball player.
" All my family and friends get to see me. Specifically now that I've got a bigger role on the group," said Strawther, a Liberty High graduate. "I'm extremely excited to have everyone. It simply seems like everyone that I understand in the city (attempted to) make it out to the video game.".
Consider it a curtain call for the soon-to-be 21-year-old small forward, who delighted in the atmosphere inside Orleans Arena once again Monday in the WCC semifinals against San Francisco - - this time as one of the stars of the
program. He considered entering the NBA draft a year ago however opted to return to Spokane to prove he could soak up more obligations.
He did just that, earning first-team All-WCC honors as Gonzaga's second-leading scorer.
" The only thing missing is just to get a championship game," said Strawther, whose Bulldogs are projected by ESPN to be a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament's West Regional - - the conclusion of which is at T-Mobile Arena.
A larger concern.
Strawther played well enough as a sophomore last season to think about a leap to the NBA while protecting his final two years of eligibility. He took part in the predraft procedure and utilized the feedback he acquired from NBA decision-makers to become a better player and prospect this season.
They wanted to see him do more, he said.
Last season, he averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds, showing a reliable shooter by transforming 36.5 percent of the 4.6 3-pointers he attempted per game. However he was playing next to eventual No. 2 general draft pick Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard, a fellow novice starting for the Indiana Pacers and Drew Timme, the WCC's freshly minted two-time Player of the Year.
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