Max Strus Bio
Max Strus is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Lewis Flyers and the DePaul Blue Demons. Strus began his NBA career in 2019 after going undrafted, initially signing with the Boston Celtics before later joining the Chicago Bulls. He has also played for the Miami Heat, where he helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Max Strus was born on March 28, 1996, in Hickory Hills, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He is of Slovenian and German descent. Strus attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, where he was a member of both the baseball and basketball teams. He experienced a late growth spurt, reaching a height of 6 feet 5 inches by the end of high school. As a senior, he averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game, earning accolades such as area player of the year and All-Southwest Suburban Conference honors. After receiving only one Division I offer, he committed to play at Division II Lewis University, where his older brother Marty had previously played.
Path to Basketball
Strus began his collegiate career at Lewis University, where he made an immediate impact. As a freshman, he averaged 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, starting all 31 games and earning second-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors. In his sophomore year, he excelled with averages of 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, leading to first-team all-GLVC recognition and an honorable mention as a Division II All-American. He set multiple school records, including the most points scored in a game with 52. After two successful seasons at Lewis, Strus transferred to DePaul University, where he continued to shine on the court.
Max Strus Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, Strus was named to the Boston Celtics Summer League roster, where he averaged 9.8 points per game. He signed a two-way contract with the Celtics but was cut before the regular season began. Subsequently, he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls on October 22, 2019. Strus made his NBA debut on November 22, 2019, against the Miami Heat, scoring five points in limited minutes. Unfortunately, his rookie season was marred by a knee injury that sidelined him for most of the year.
Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Strus signed a training camp contract with the Miami Heat on November 30, 2020. His performance improved significantly during the 2020-2021 season, highlighted by a game against the Houston Rockets where he scored 21 points. He secured a two-year contract with the Heat in August 2021. Strus played a crucial role in the Heat’s playoff run, scoring 31 points in a play-in game against the Chicago Bulls and contributing to the team’s success in the Eastern Conference playoffs. In the 2023 NBA Finals, he faced challenges but remained a key player for the Heat.
Notable Works and Milestones
Strus’s signature work includes his contributions to the Miami Heat during their playoff runs, particularly in 2023 when he helped lead the team to the NBA Finals. He has been recognized for his scoring ability and three-point shooting, becoming a valuable asset for his teams.
Max Strus Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Max Strus has received several accolades, including being named second-team All-Big East and first-team All-GLVC during his college career.
Max Strus Awards Won
While Strus has not won major awards in the NBA, he has achieved notable recognition in college basketball, including multiple All-Conference selections.
Max Strus Family
Max Strus comes from a family with a strong athletic background. His father, John Strus, played college baseball for Eastern Illinois, while his mother, Debra Strus, was a basketball and volleyball player at DePaul and is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. His older brother, Marty, is the head coach at Stagg High School, and his sister, Maggie, played college volleyball at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Personal Life
Max Strus is known for his dedication to the sport and has garnered a following among NBA fans, who refer to him as ‘The Concept.’ He maintains a private personal life, focusing primarily on his basketball career and family.
