Strickland was a three-sport athlete at Bellevue West from 1989-1992. He earned 7 varsity letters: two in football, four in basketball, and one in baseball. He led the Thunderbirds to three basketball state tournaments, including a runner-up finish in 1991.

Strickland went on to start at the University of Nebraska in basketball, where he earned four varsity letters as a Cornhusker. He was drafted in the 31st round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Florida Marlins, and played for 2 ½ years in the minor leagues.

He continued on to a 9-year NBA career, playing for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Vancouver Grizzlies. Strickland currently resides in Dallas, training young, up and coming athletes at a training facility. Strickland was elected to the University of Nebraska’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and was also inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.