Julian Strawther’s no longer in school, but he still has an assigned seat.

These days, the former Gonzaga Bulldog starts each game seated next to trusted veteran DeAndre Jordan on the Nuggets bench.

“There’s a lot of good nuggets just from DJ on the bench,” Strawther said after Tuesday’s practice at Ball Arena. “I sit next to him every game, so you know he’s always in my ear, pointing things out, telling me things to watch and look out for just so I understand (those) parts of the game when I do get in.”

With Jamal Murray missing most of the last month, first with a hamstring strain and more recently with an ankle sprain, Strawther’s spending less and less time on the bench and more time applying the lessons learned.

“Every game, every opportunity is a learning opportunity. While you’re on the bench, watching, learning, learning from other people and learning from other great players or if you’re sitting next to a 16-year veteran like DJ who’s been around the block and been around a lot of great players, keep your ears and eyes open and learn as much as you can,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “That’s the value of having veterans like we have, guys that are always trying to help the guys that are coming up in this league and earning their way.”

Strawther didn’t play in three of Denver’s first 11 games and played more than 10 minutes on just two occasions. The first was a double-digit loss at Minnesota. The second was a break-out game against the Pelicans when Strawther scored 21 points on 13 shots in 19 minutes. Strawther has played in the last nine games and has played fewer than 10 minutes just twice in that stretch.

The 21-year-old rookie heads into Wednesday’s game against the Clippers averaging 5.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in just under 13 minutes per game. Murray’s questionable to play against the Clippers, which could mean more minutes and more opportunities for the 35-year-old veteran to share some wisdom.

“Some of the things he points out are things that would go right over my head,” Strawther said. “Just being able to notice that and then when I get in the game and see that exact action that he pointed out to me, being able to manipulate it or navigate it, it’s just huge for me.”

In 21 games of assigned seating, Jordan has shared lessons on handling adversity, keeping a steady mindset and buying into the Nuggets culture. The first two have been tested during inconsistent playing time earlier in the season. The latter doesn’t seem to be an issue.

“We just want to win games here. Just being bought into the system, I mean, everybody in this locker room is looking at one thing, and that’s winning another championship,” Strawther said. “My job is to come in, bring energy, shoot shots if they’re there and that’s it. Be a relief guy for those guys right now, those main five. That’s my job, and I’m going to live up to it.”

He’s off to a good start thanks to a helpful teammate who is offering some tutoring.

“I feel like when you think of what a vet is in a professional sport, DJ is like the perfect example of that just with how vocal he is. You know he’s always cracking jokes, but I mean, when it’s time to be serious, he’s super serious, and he’ll get on you. He’s not afraid to voice his opinion and tell you what you’re doing wrong,” Strawther said. “As a young guy, that’s what I’m looking for. I’m trying to make a name for myself and learn the game, so it’s huge.”