Fond memories filled Julian Strawther’s mind as he stood on Saturday evening in Liberty’s gym, forging yet another one with his back-to-school giveaway for Henderson’s youth.
“Ever since I was a little kid, you dream to make it big,” he said, “and then one day being able to give back to your community.”
Perks of being a Denver Nugget.
Strawther furnished school supplies at his alma mater for dozens of youngsters, maximizing his extended stay home as he preps for his fourth NBA campaign. The Patriots grad, acquired by Denver with 29th pick in the 2023 draft, was joined by his sisters Paige and Paris, and their father, Lee, who watched with pride.
Being in the gym again Saturday was far less stressful than it used to be.
“The Coronado games,” the elder Strawther playfully recalled, plus the weight of the program Strawther once bore as “the leader of the team. It’s just been rewarding, man. He never ceases to amaze me.”
Strawther plays for a unit led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the 6-foot-7-inch swingman serving as a steady shooter (7.2 points per game via 38.7 percent shooting from 3-point range in 57 games in 2025-26) in second units. The Nuggets won their NBA title 10 days before Strawther was drafted, implementing him into a championship culture laden with veteran contributors.
Amid a shifting role and workload, Strawther said he’s learned so far about “what it means to play winning basketball” in the NBA. Added Strawther, who posed for pictures and signed autographs over and over with a smile: “Been able to grow so much over the first three years, and some players don’t get to deal with that adversity, but I’ve got real high highs and real low lows, so just being able to see all sides of the league, all angles.And I’m really excited about what’s coming.”
With three years of service, Strawther is eligible for a rookie-scale extension with the Nuggets and will be a restricted free agent next summer if they don’t agree to a deal before the season. He said he’s focused on taking “that next step” toward “looking like somebody who’s a veteran and that’s seen some things and understands the game and really contribute to winning at a high level every single night.”
For however long he plays for the Nuggets.
With a focus on winning this season in Denver, Strawther knows — and said he’s excited — about the NBA’s impending expansion to Las Vegas. He said he’d always wanted a team to come to the city when he was a kid and knows it would fit in a sporting landscape anchored by the Golden Knights, Aces and Raiders. And that he may also someday fit with that franchise.
“It’s hard to say that you wouldn’t want to play at home,” said Strawther, clad in a white tee, black trousers and a silver cross pendant that matched his watch. “I mean, that’s the ultimate dream to be able to have your family in the crowd at NBA games in your hometown, so you never know.”
But Strawther also fulfilled a dream Saturday, his family with him at his alma mater as he gave away backpacks, gameworn sneakers and pizza. For four years, Strawther helped fill the gym with spectators when the Patriots played — and for a couple hours, he filled it again.
“To come back and give back … that was on the top of my list, the top of my priorities,” he said. “It’s something that I want to do every year if I can, whether it’s a camp or doing more of these, and doing it on a bigger scale. But I’m really enjoying it.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
