Pacers hit gold last year with Gonzaga sleeper. Could another be in its NBA draft future?

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In 2022, the Pacers found a gem by selecting Andrew Nembhard with the 31st pick in the NBA draft. With picks Nos. 26, 29 and 32 in this year’s draft, the franchise will again search for an undervalued prospect.

One candidate in that range is Nembhard’s college teammate, Julian Strawther. The Gonzaga forward was in a group of six prospects that worked out for the Pacers on Friday morning at the Ascension St. Vincent Center.

Strawther projects as one of the most polished shooters in the upcoming draft. The 6-7, 209-pound Las Vegas product drilled 134 3-pointers at a 39% clip in his final two college seasons. Strawther showcased the ability to hit shots while spotting up and on the move, and he wants to prove to NBA teams his stroke is legit.

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“The main thing is showcasing my shooting,” Strawther said about what he wants to show teams throughout the workout process. “That’s what I’m known for coming out of a school.”

Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) celebrates after their win against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena.

Strawther added he wants to show teams he can read ball screens. While he scored 15.2 points per game this year at Gonzaga, Strawther only averaged 1.3 assists and had more turnovers (56) than assists (49) in his junior campaign. Strawther’s playmaking (or lack thereof) was less than ideal for a perimeter prospect.

If the Pacers were to select Strawther, he may not need to be a creator for others. With Nembhard, All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and last year’s No. 6 pick Bennedict Mathurin all being crucial to the Pacers’ core, Strawther thinks he would add value as a floor-spacer.

“There’s so many great creators on this team and having an All-Star point guard that loves to create,” Strawther said. “So just being there as a safety valve, as a shooter, be able to space the floor for guys like that.”

Bringing in another outside threat would continue the Pacers’…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pacers-hit-gold-last-gonzaga-202704915.html?src=rss

Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

Publish date : 2023-06-02 20:27:04

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