Professional Basketball Player. He gained recognition as NBA basketball player. From Belle Glade, Florida, the six-foot ten-inch Strawder performed well enough on the high school basketball team there to earn a spot on the Bradley University team. At Bradley he teamed with future NBA players Chet Walker and Lavern Tart to lead the Braves to impressive winning seasons. In his three seasons at Bradley, he averaged over 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. His successful collegiate career rewarded him by being drafted by the NBA Boston Celtics in 1964. He did not make the Celtics team in 1964, but made his NBA debut in 1965 with the Detroit Pistons. He played more than 27 minutes per game and contributed 8.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest as a rookie. Strawder played three seasons with Detroit. That was his NBA career. He continued to average about 9 points and ten rebounds per game. On January 28, 1966, he played perhaps his finest professional contest, against the Boston Celtics. He faced the renowned hall of famer, Bill Russell, as the opposing center. Rookie Joe put in 29 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, both leading the Pistons. He out scored Russell by 11 points as the Pistons won by three. After his NBA career, he remained in Detroit, as an entrepreneur.
Professional Basketball Player. He gained recognition as NBA basketball player. From Belle Glade, Florida, the six-foot ten-inch Strawder performed well enough on the high school basketball team there to earn a spot on the Bradley University team. At Bradley he teamed with future NBA players Chet Walker and Lavern Tart to lead the Braves to impressive winning seasons. In his three seasons at Bradley, he averaged over 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. His successful collegiate career rewarded him by being drafted by the NBA Boston Celtics in 1964. He did not make the Celtics team in 1964, but made his NBA debut in 1965 with the Detroit Pistons. He played more than 27 minutes per game and contributed 8.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest as a rookie. Strawder played three seasons with Detroit. That was his NBA career. He continued to average about 9 points and ten rebounds per game. On January 28, 1966, he played perhaps his finest professional contest, against the Boston Celtics. He faced the renowned hall of famer, Bill Russell, as the opposing center. Rookie Joe put in 29 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, both leading the Pistons. He out scored Russell by 11 points as the Pistons won by three. After his NBA career, he remained in Detroit, as an entrepreneur.
Bio by: George Seitz
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