Tarkanian Classic: Top 40 junior Julian Strawther talks visits

RANKINGS: 2019 Rivals150 | 2020 Rivals150 | 2019 Team Rankings

LAS VEGAS -- One of the premier scorers on the West Coast, top 40 junior Julian Strawther was scoring in bunches at the Tarkanian Classic.

A strong start to his junior season at Henderson (Nev.) Liberty was important to the 6-foot-7 swingman after a summer where he felt he could have played better.

"I knew that I would gradually get better as a player just by working on my craft," Strawther told Rivals.com. "But this year is big. This last summer wasn't exactly my best summer and I slipped in a lot of rankings and things like that. Not that it really matters, but I just have to prove myself and I know this year is really big for me.

"I'm really just putting my head down and grinding harder. That's how it needs to be. I believe in myself so if I play my game it will take care of itself."

Strawther has already logged an official visit to Marquette and took a second unofficial visit to USC in the fall. He's got planned visits to Florida, Florida State, Gonzaga and Washington and discussed all of the schools.

Marquette: It went really well. I really enjoyed everything out there. The atmosphere was crazy with them playing in the NBA arena with 17,000 people at the game. That's unheard of. I really liked it and when i was there I felt that I fit their playing style. It was really nice."

USC: I went to USC with my summer teammate Jaden Hardy. That's my second time going out there. It's close to home, that's somewhere I really like."

Florida State: "I know that they really use their wings a lot and wings handle the ball and really get out in transition. That really fits my playing style so I'm excited to see it live and what they do off the court too."

Florida: Kind of the same thing as Florida State stands out. They really get up and down the floor and their wings are really involved. I'm looking forward to seeing that and I get along really well with their coaching staff too."

Gonzaga: "There are a lot of ball screens and they shoot the three which is one of my strong points. They score the ball and I feel like I can really get better as a player because they develop their players to pros and that's my ultimate goal."

Washington: "Out of all the coaching staffs, you know a full coaching staff, I have the best relationship with them. I talk to all four of them all the time and they are all really great guys and I really feel comfortable when I'm talking to them."

If Strawther is aiming to bounce back from the summer, he's doing a nice job of it. He's gotten a little stronger and is not lacking any aggression on the offensive end. Florida State was his first offer, he has the great relationship with Washington and Marquette is definitely a fit for his style.

However, despite all the early visits, Strawther is more taking advantage of rules that allow for more official visits than he is looking to get a decision out of the way.

"I'm going to take my time," said Strawther. "The opportunity will present itself and when I'm ready to make my decision I'll make it."