Professional basketball player Julian Strawther’s mother passed away in 2011 following breast cancer, and he promised his mom one thing: that he would become an NBA player.
Julian Strawther is a Puerto Rican and American professional basketball player playing for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball at Gonzaga University, where he was a key contributor to the team’s success.
Furthermore, Julian was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Strawther is primarily a small forward with excellent three-point shooting skills.
Moreover, his journey to the NBA is a testament to his talent and dedication and is deeply rooted in his promise to his late mother, Lourdes Strawther. So, he has already fulfilled his commitment by becoming a professional NBA player.
Meet Julian Strawther’s Parents, Lee, and Lourdes Strawther: Mother’s Death Cause
Julian Lee Strawther-Cordero was born on April 18, 2002, to his beloved parents, Lee and Lourdes Strawther, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. His mother, Lourdes, was deeply connected to her Puerto Rican heritage.
Unfortunately, Lourdes passed away in 2011 after battling breast cancer. Julian was just nine years old at the time. Her passing left a void in the Strawther family. After Lourdes’ passing, Julian’s father, Lee Strawther, became the family’s anchor.

Lee took on the dual role of parent and mentor. Before her death, Julian made a heartfelt promise to her to become an NBA player. That promise became a driving force in his life, inspiring him to work tirelessly on and off the court to achieve his goals.
Lee also talks about his marriage to Lourdes. He once said, “We had a very beautiful family dynamic. She and I were married 20 years when she passed away.” He continued,
“They’re at that stage now, and (Julian) just wants to make her proud. He wishes she was here to see all this because she’d be the biggest cheerleader out of anyone.”
More Details On Julian Strawther’s Family Background
Julian Strawther comes from a sound family background. He is not the single child of his parents, as Julian grew up with two siblings who have also been significant influences in his life.
His sister, Paris, is the eldest of all who played a maternal role in Julian’s life after their mother’s passing. Paris played college basketball for UNLV and now works as a real estate agent in Las Vegas.

According to her Instagram bio, she is associated with Realty One Group. Regarding her educational background, Paris completed her Master of Business Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
She realized her passion for real estate during her last semester and is doing well in her career. Paris has also opened up a dedicated website for her professional life.
On the other hand, Julian’s sister, Paige, is active on Instagram under the username @getoffmypaige_ and has over 2k followers. She shares snaps of her daily lifestyle and fashion. Paige also does affiliate marketing with Amazon.
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Julian’s Multi-Million Dollars Worth NBA Contracts And Career Overview
The Denver Nuggets selected Julian Strawther in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He then signed a rookie-scale contract under the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
As mentioned earlier, his NBA career is more than a professional achievement. In every NBA game, Strawther remembers his late mother. He talked about his late mom when he played in the West Coast Conference tournament in his hometown of Las Vegas in 2021.
He said, “She was at my first basketball game, and she came to every single one leading up to when she passed away.” Julian also represented his mother’s homeland by playing for Puerto Rico’s 19-and-under team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Strawther continued, “I know she’s with me still, and I know that every time I step on the floor, my family is watching, and I got something to be proud of.”
On July 6, 2023, Julian signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $12,484,731 with the Nuggets. It saw him an average annual salary of $3,121,183.
For the 2024-25 season, his base salary is $2,552,520.
He also earns money from brand deals and sponsorships. As reported, in October 2023, as Julian headed to his rookie season, he signed a shoe deal with Nike.
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