Gonzaga Bulldogs: 2023 Mock Draft Consensus on Julian Strawther and Drew Timme 2.0
Ed Stein
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Pacific Northwest Sports audited 44 mock drafts to see where Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Julian Strawther and center Drew Timme wind up.
The NBA Draft is very important for the Zags basketball program. Fans don’t like seeing their favorites leave, but they can celebrate those players moving on to the highest levels.
Putting players in the National Basketball Association is some of the best advertising Gonzaga Bulldogs Head Coach Mark Few can get when recruiting prospects. Every aspiring player visiting The Kennel dreams of playing in the NBA. Showing them a path to their dream brings those young men to Spokane.
Last year the Gonzaga Bulldogs had another player taken in the lottery. Oklahoma City selected center Chet Holmgren second overall. The year before, GU had two players drafted in the lottery, Jalen Suggs (Orlando, 5th overall) and Corey Kispert (Washington, 11th).
Spanning the internet
The sources we use for the mock drafts may vary from edition to edition, but they are credible. This time we included ESPN, USA Today, CBS Sports, The Ringer, Sports Illustrated, NBC, Fox Sports, and more.
Julian Strawther – Wing
At the Combine
Height: 6-7
Weight: 210 pounds
Wingspan: 6-9.5
Strawther didn’t participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages at the combine. It’s a big tipoff that a team has guaranteed they will take him (likely in the second round). There was no need to risk an injury when he has a job waiting.
Draft Projections
Highest Draft Spot – Round 1, Sacramento Kings, 24th overall.
Lowest Draft Spot – Round 2, Washington Wizards, 57th overall.
Most Common Draft Spot – Round 2, Los Angeles Lakers, 47th overall.
Scouting Report
An outstanding athlete, Julian Strawther has developed during his two seasons with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. His length makes him a matchup problem on the wing for opposing defenders.
To get playing time in the NBA, Strawther has to improve his defense. He isn’t a liability, but tight defense is not one of his strength’s either.
“What’s promising about Strawther is his understanding of roles. Although he came to Gonzaga as a big recruit, he doesn’t try to do too much. He takes generally takes good shots within the flow of the offense, which is a huge reason he is so efficient… As a defender, Strawther has a ton of quickness and covers a lot of ground. He’s active on that end of the floor.“
– Sports Illustrated Draft Digest
Draft Prospectus
Of the 44 mock drafts we audited, 20 covered both rounds, and the former Gonzaga Bulldogs wing was on all of them. Strawther looks to be a second round pick but could sneak into the first.
Drew Timme – Center/Forward
At the Combine
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230 pounds
Wingspan: 7-1.5
Timme played in two scrimmages at the combine. Game 1 wasn’t his best, with 6 points and 3 rebounds. He picked it up significantly in the second scrimmage, scoring an impressive 17 points with 7 boards.
Draft Projections
Highest Draft Spot – Round 2, Brooklyn Nets, 51st overall.
Lowest Draft Spot – Round 2, Milwaukee Bucks, 58th overall.
Most Common Draft Spot – None.
Scouting Report
Timme was a staple of college basketball over the past two years. Anyone that’s watched the game saw how effective the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ all-time leading scorer was with the ball in his hands.
He’s undoubtedly one of the most skilled big men in recent memory. Drew Timme is a monster to defend near the basket and runs the pick-and-roll effectively.
“Offensively, Timme is a traditional big with a deep post-up arsenal that starts with a soft right-hand jump hook and continues with every counter in the book. His touch and smooth footwork help him gain an advantage over bigger centers. He’s also effective in the pick-and-roll, capable of making a couple of dribbles and/or dishing to teammates. Timme’s rebounding is also up to par, always looking for a man to box out. Defensively, the center usually tries to beat the driver to the spot rather than challenge at the rim, and he’s best staying in the paint.”
– NBA.com
Draft Prospectus
For all Timme can do, his game doesn’t fit modern NBA offenses. That’s a big reason why he was only selected on 6 of 20 mocks.
It’s reasonable to think his draft stock would rise after several players opted out, but that’s not the case. His offensive skillset isn’t in question. To succeed in the NBA, he must improve his physical strength and defensive positioning.
Timme will likely sign a two-way contract with an invite to a team’s summer camp. “The Union Rep,” as few nicknamed him, most likely has to earn his ticket to the NBA via the G-League.
Where do you think Gonzaga stars Julian Strawther and Drew Timme will be drafted?