When Rob Jeter left UNLV last spring and joined the coaching staff at Minnesota, he immediately put his fingerprints on the Gophers' recrutiing philosophy. Scholarship offers were sent out to three Las Vegas high school prospects: Jalen Hill in the 2019 class, and Isaiah Cotrell and Julian Strawther in the 2020 group.
"I'm around UNLV a lot honestly, whether it's playing open gym or things like that," Strawther told The Gopher Report." So me and Coach Jeter have developed a relationship over the years. It was a no brainer when he called me up. We already had a great relationship from his time at UNLV. When he moved over to Minnesota, he was quick to get on the phone and let me know that they're interested in offering me a scholarship."
"I haven't talked with Coach Pitino yet, but they've told me they're looking to get me on the phone with him," Strawther continued. "But it was just like Coach Jeter just texted me, and said, 'We're ready to offer you. We're ready to get this thing going."'
There have been a lot of schools get on the phone and offer the 6-foot-7, 210 pound rising junior. Strawther is ranked No. 22 in the Class of 2020 by Rivals and naturally has an impressive list of suitors.
He already has invites from Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, TCU, Oklahoma, Gonzaga, Virginia Tech, DePaul, Fresno State, Creighton, USC, Florida State, Washington, UNLV, UCONN, UCLA, Arizona, California, Florida, and Oklahoma State.
"I remember my first one, "Strawther reminisced. "I was just chillin' , and my dad came in and said, 'You've got your first offer from Florida State.' I was shocked. It blew up from there. But just being recruited this highly at such a young age is such a blessing. I just have to thank God."
We asked Strawther with all of these offers in a relatively small amount of time, if there were any that made him do a double take.
"I got a Kansas offer a couple of weeks ago. That's a prestigious program. When you think about schools in college basketball, that is one that comes in your head. I got UCLA, USC, and Arizona within a week. That was crazy. That's like three or four of the main schools in the Pac 12."
Strawther has turned heads this spring and summer playing up in age on the 17U circuit with the Las Vegas Prospects of the Nike EYBL. We saw him at the Peach Invitational earlier this month, and two things were obvious. First, he has a big, strong body for a young man his age. Secondly, he is a threat as soon as he crosses the half line. He knocked down six treys against the Georgia Stars when we were in attendance.
"I'm a pure scorer, "Strawther explained. "At my size, I feel like I'm a great shooter, and stretch the floor. I'm very versatile. I can play multiple positions."
Strawther also was quick to compliment how playing against older players has helped develop his game.
"It's everything. I don't think I'd be the player I am right now if we were playing against players in my age group. It just prepares me, because when I get to the next level, or even the highest level at the pros, you're not playing against players your own age. So you've got to be ready to play against older players. Playing 17-year old AAU this year, against all of the seven-footers, it's just getting me ready for the next level."
Eric Bossi saw Strawther back at the Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis in June, and came away impressed.
"Strawther is a big shot maker on the wing and was nailing deep jumpers and getting to the mid post for shots on Sunday. Often times in camps like this big reputation players mail it in or shut it down if they aren't playing their best. Not Strawther, he showed up big on the final day and left on a high note."
That assessment was very consistent with that we saw in Augusta, Georgia. Strawther admits he still has work to do, and told us he wants to tighten up his handle as well as become a lock down defender against anyone he faces.
Although Strawther has a lot of basketball in front of him before making a college decision, he knows what he will be looking for in a program.
"It's about the play style and great relationships with the coaches, because they are the people that are going to be taking care of me, and I just want to be comfortable no matter where I am. I just want to hoop."
It sounds like Minnesota may fit that criteria with Jeter spearheading the recruitment.
"He knows I am a great player and everything, "Strawther closed. "But he really loves me as a person and a kid."
"I'm around UNLV a lot honestly, whether it's playing open gym or things like that," Strawther told The Gopher Report." So me and Coach Jeter have developed a relationship over the years. It was a no brainer when he called me up. We already had a great relationship from his time at UNLV. When he moved over to Minnesota, he was quick to get on the phone and let me know that they're interested in offering me a scholarship."
"I haven't talked with Coach Pitino yet, but they've told me they're looking to get me on the phone with him," Strawther continued. "But it was just like Coach Jeter just texted me, and said, 'We're ready to offer you. We're ready to get this thing going."'
There have been a lot of schools get on the phone and offer the 6-foot-7, 210 pound rising junior. Strawther is ranked No. 22 in the Class of 2020 by Rivals and naturally has an impressive list of suitors.
He already has invites from Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, TCU, Oklahoma, Gonzaga, Virginia Tech, DePaul, Fresno State, Creighton, USC, Florida State, Washington, UNLV, UCONN, UCLA, Arizona, California, Florida, and Oklahoma State.
"I remember my first one, "Strawther reminisced. "I was just chillin' , and my dad came in and said, 'You've got your first offer from Florida State.' I was shocked. It blew up from there. But just being recruited this highly at such a young age is such a blessing. I just have to thank God."
We asked Strawther with all of these offers in a relatively small amount of time, if there were any that made him do a double take.
"I got a Kansas offer a couple of weeks ago. That's a prestigious program. When you think about schools in college basketball, that is one that comes in your head. I got UCLA, USC, and Arizona within a week. That was crazy. That's like three or four of the main schools in the Pac 12."
Strawther has turned heads this spring and summer playing up in age on the 17U circuit with the Las Vegas Prospects of the Nike EYBL. We saw him at the Peach Invitational earlier this month, and two things were obvious. First, he has a big, strong body for a young man his age. Secondly, he is a threat as soon as he crosses the half line. He knocked down six treys against the Georgia Stars when we were in attendance.
"I'm a pure scorer, "Strawther explained. "At my size, I feel like I'm a great shooter, and stretch the floor. I'm very versatile. I can play multiple positions."
Strawther also was quick to compliment how playing against older players has helped develop his game.
"It's everything. I don't think I'd be the player I am right now if we were playing against players in my age group. It just prepares me, because when I get to the next level, or even the highest level at the pros, you're not playing against players your own age. So you've got to be ready to play against older players. Playing 17-year old AAU this year, against all of the seven-footers, it's just getting me ready for the next level."
Eric Bossi saw Strawther back at the Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis in June, and came away impressed.
"Strawther is a big shot maker on the wing and was nailing deep jumpers and getting to the mid post for shots on Sunday. Often times in camps like this big reputation players mail it in or shut it down if they aren't playing their best. Not Strawther, he showed up big on the final day and left on a high note."
That assessment was very consistent with that we saw in Augusta, Georgia. Strawther admits he still has work to do, and told us he wants to tighten up his handle as well as become a lock down defender against anyone he faces.
Although Strawther has a lot of basketball in front of him before making a college decision, he knows what he will be looking for in a program.
"It's about the play style and great relationships with the coaches, because they are the people that are going to be taking care of me, and I just want to be comfortable no matter where I am. I just want to hoop."
It sounds like Minnesota may fit that criteria with Jeter spearheading the recruitment.
"He knows I am a great player and everything, "Strawther closed. "But he really loves me as a person and a kid."
