Max Strus

Strus was born in the Chicago suburb of Hickory Hills, Illinois{{cite news|first=Madeline|last=Kenney|title=Max Strus decides to return to DePaul after withdrawing from NBA Draft|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/5/30/18361942/max-strus-decides-to-return-to-depaul-after-withdrawing-from-nba-draft|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=October 13, 2019}} and is of Slovenian and German descent. He attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, where he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams. Although he entered his sophomore year at 5'9", he had a late growth spurt and was 6'5" by the end of high school. As a senior, Strus averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game and was named the area player of the year by The Reporter, All-Southwest Suburban Conference, All-Area by the SouthtownStar and third team All-State. After having only received one Division I offer (Chicago State), Strus committed to play at Division II Lewis University, where his older brother Marty had played.{{cite web|first=Sean|last=Brennan|title=Local Talent Strus Leads A Streaking DePaul|url=https://www.bigeast.com/news/2017/12/15/mens-basketball-local-talent-strus-leads-a-streaking-depaul.aspx|website=BigEast.com|date=December 15, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2019}}

Strus began his collegiate career at Lewis University. As a freshman, Strus averaged 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and started all 31 of the Flyers' games and was named second team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).{{cite web|first=Dick|last=Goss|title=Lewis men inexperienced, but with good nucleus|url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2015/11/02/lewis-men-inexperienced-but-with-good-nucleus/aeips4r/|work=The Herald-News|date=November 2, 2015|access-date=December 7, 2024}} As a sophomore, Strus averaged 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game-all team highs-and was named first team all-GLVC and an honorable mention Division II All-American.{{cite web|first=Joel|last=D|title=Is Xavier replacing Larry Austin with a Division 2 player?|url=https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/3/30/11333092/xavier-offers-guard-max-strus-a-transfer-from-d2-lewis-university|website=BannersOnTheParkway.com|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2024}} He also set school records with 167 free throws made and 666 points scored in a single season and points scored in a game with 52 (14 for 18 shooting) against Zach Allread and Northwood University on November 24, 2015.{{cite web|title=Three Flyers earn All-Midwest honors|url=https://www.theherald-news.com/2016/03/14/three-flyers-earn-all-midwest-honors/a2nqoc8/|work=The Herald-News|date=March 14, 2016|access-date=July 28, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Millar|title=Lewis' Max Strus scores school record 52 points on just 18 shots|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/sports/ct-sta-local-college-notes-st-1129-20151127-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 27, 2015|access-date=January 19, 2021}} Following the season, Strus announced that he would be leaving the program in order to play at the Division I level.{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Westerholm|title=Boston Celtics two-way signee Max Strus went from NCAA D-II to the NBA: 'Boston (found me), so I'm happy to be here'|url=https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/07/boston-celtics-two-way-signee-max-strus-went-from-ncaa-d-ii-to-the-nba-boston-found-me-so-im-happy-to-be-here.html|website=MassLive.com|date=July 3, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}} Strus scored 1,078 points in his two seasons at Lewis.{{cite web|title=Lewis Men's Basketball 1,000 Point Club|url=https://lewisflyers.com/sports/2014/9/19/MBB_0919141419.aspx?id=205|website=LewisFlyers.com|publisher=Lewis University Athletic Department|access-date=July 28, 2019}}

File:Max Strus 2018.png in 2018]]

Strus transferred to DePaul after his sophomore year. After sitting out one season due to NCAA transfer rules, Strus started throughout the season and led the team with 16.8 points per game, scoring in double figures in 26 of the 31 games he played in, and made 81 three-pointers, which was the second-most made in a season in program history. The team finished the season with an 11-20 record, 4-14 in Big East play. He declared for the 2018 NBA Draft, but returned to school for his final season.{{cite web|title=DePaul's Max Strus to declare for draft, won't hire agent|url=https://abc7chicago.com/3275105/|work=ABC7 Chicago|date=March 28, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2024}}

In his final season, Strus averaged 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.9 steals per game and was named second team All-Big East Conference. The DePaul team finished 19-17, 7-11 in Big East play and accepted a bid to the College Basketball Invitational, where the team lost in the finals. He became only the second Blue Demons player ever to score 700 points in a season, after Mark Aguirre with 705 points, and set single season school records for three-point shots taken (311) and made (113). In two seasons at DePaul, Strus scored 1,226 points (29th in school history), 554 three-point attempts (second), and 194 three-pointers made (third) and finished with the fifth-highest free throw percentage at .825 (226-274).{{cite web|first=Justin|last=Quinn|title=Report: Max Strus officially inks Two-Way deal with Celtics|url=https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/19/report-max-strus-officially-inks-two-way-deal-with-celtics/|work=Celtics Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=July 19, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Steeno|title=Injury plagued Blue Demons battle for CBI championship|url=https://depauliaonline.com/40177/sports/injury-plagued-blue-demons-battle-for-cbi-championship/|work=The DePaulia|date=April 5, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Strus Signs Two-Way Contract with Boston Celtics|url=https://depaulbluedemons.com/news/2019/6/21/mens-basketball-strus-signs-two-way-contract-with-boston-celtics.aspx|website=DePaulBlueDemons.com|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Lawrence|last=Kreymer|title=DePaul senior guard Max Strus signs two-way contract with Celtics|url=https://depauliaonline.com/42131/sports/depaul-senior-guard-max-strus-signs-two-way-contract-with-celtics/|work=The DePaulia|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2019}}

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Strus was named to the Boston Celtics Summer League roster. He averaged 9.8 points per game and shot 45 percent from three for the Celtics. On July 22, 2019, Strus signed a two-way contract with the team.{{cite web|title=Celtics Sign Four Players|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-sign-four-players|website=NBA.com|date=July 25, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2019}} On October 13, 2019, the Celtics announced that they had signed Strus to a standard NBA contract in order to sign Tacko Fall to one of the team's two two-way roster spots.{{cite web|title=Celtics Announce Roster Moves Strus signed to standard NBA contract; Fall converted to two-way roster slot|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-announce-roster-moves|website=NBA.com|date=October 13, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019}}{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Westerholm|title=Boston Celtics' Tacko Fall's two-way deal puts Max Strus, Javonte Green in competition for final roster spot|url=https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/10/boston-celtics-tacko-falls-two-way-deal-puts-max-strus-javonte-green-in-competition-for-final-roster-spot.html|website=MassLive.com|date=October 13, 2019|access-date=December 7, 2024}} The roster move put Strus in direct competition with Javonte Green for the final spot on the Celtics' opening day roster.{{cite web|first=Ricky|last=Doyle|title=Javonte Green Or Max Strus? Danny Ainge Breaks Down Celtics Roster Battle|url=https://nesn.com/2019/10/javonte-green-or-max-strus-danny-ainge-breaks-down-celtics-roster-battle/|work=NESN|date=October 17, 2019|access-date=December 7, 2024}} He was ultimately cut shortly before the start of the regular season.{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Westerholm|title=Boston Celtics waive Max Strus and others, opening door for Javonte Green to earn final roster spot|url=https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/10/boston-celtics-waive-max-strus-and-others-opening-door-for-javonte-green-to-earn-final-roster-spot.html|website=MassLive.com|date=October 19, 2019|access-date=October 21, 2019}}

After being waived by the Celtics, Strus signed a two-way contract with his hometown Chicago Bulls on October 22, 2019.{{cite news|title=Bulls sign former DePaul guard Max Strus to a 2-way contract|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-sign-max-strus-20191022-scd53tx5kvfdnmm7vujhdyugr4-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 22, 2019|access-date=October 22, 2019}} Strus made his NBA debut on November 22, 2019, against the Miami Heat, playing the final five minutes of a 116-108 loss and scoring five points with one rebound.{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McGraw|title=Late run salvages little respect in Bulls' loss to Miami|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20191122/late-run-salvages-little-respect-in-bulls-loss-to-miami|work=Daily Herald|date=November 22, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2019}} On December 23, 2019, the Chicago Bulls announced that Strus suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and bone bruise on his left knee in an NBA G League game for Windy City Bulls in a 92–85 win over the Lakeland Magic on December 21 and Strus was expected to be sidelined for about eight to twelve months.{{cite web|title=MAX STRUS INJURY UPDATE STRUS TO MISS 8-TO-12 MONTHS WITH TORN ACL AND BONE BRUISE|url=https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/max-strus-injury-update|website=NBA.com|date=December 23, 2019|access-date=December 23, 2019}} Strus ended his rookie season with five points scored in two NBA games played and averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in thirteen G League games.{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Miller|title=Chicago Bulls: Promising wing Max Strus out for season with torn ACL|url=https://pippenainteasy.com/2019/12/24/chicago-bulls-promising-wing-max-strus-out-for-season-with-torn-acl/|website=PippenAintEasy.com|publisher=FanSided|date=December 24, 2019|access-date=December 24, 2019}}

On November 30, 2020, Strus signed a training camp contract with the Miami Heat.{{cite web|title=Max Strus Signs With HEAT|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-max-strus-11-30-20|website=NBA.com|date=November 30, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2020}} The Heat converted his contract to a two-way contract on December 19, 2020, towards the end of training camp.{{cite web|title=Max Strus gets Miami Heat two-way contract|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article247963930.html|work=Miami Herald|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=December 30, 2020}} On February 11, 2021, he came on in a game against the Rockets and scored 21 points on 5 of 8 three point shooting.

On August 1, 2021, Strus joined the Heat for the NBA Summer League{{cite web|title=2021 Miami HEAT Summer League Roster|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-announce-summer-league-roster-2021|website=NBA.com|date=August 1, 2021|access-date=September 11, 2021}} and five days later, he signed a two-year contract worth $3.5 million to remain with the Heat.{{cite web|title=HEAT RE-SIGNS MAX STRUS|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-resign-max-strus|website=NBA.com|date=August 6, 2021|access-date=August 18, 2021}}

On April 14, 2023, Strus scored 31 points against the Chicago Bulls after a loss against the Hawks in the play-in game. Short one point of his career-high, he and Jimmy Butler combined for 62 points in a 102-91 win, sending the team to the 2023 playoffs.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs. Heat score, takeaways: Jimmy Butler leads Miami to Play-In Tournament win to secure No. 8 seed|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/bulls-vs-heat-score-takeaways-jimmy-butler-leads-miami-to-play-in-tournament-win-to-secure-no-8-seed/live/|website=CBSSports.com|access-date=April 15, 2023}} On May 6, Strus scored 19 points during a 105–86 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 win against the New York Knicks.{{cite web|title=Butler scores 28, Heat top Knicks 105-86 for 2-1 series lead|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401544975|website=ESPN.com|date=May 6, 2023|access-date=December 7, 2024}} On June 1, Strus finished scoreless after going 0 of 10 in a Game 1 NBA Finals loss against the Denver Nuggets. Strus struggled in the Finals, where he averaged only 5.8 points a game on 23% shooting as the Heat lost the series in 5 games.

File:Max Strus - 53368732580.jpg in 2023]]

On July 6, 2023, Strus signed a 4–year, $63 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade agreement.{{cite web|title=Cavaliers Acquire Max Strus|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/releases-strus-acquisition-230706|website=NBA.com|date=July 6, 2023|access-date=December 7, 2024}}

On October 25, 2023, Strus made his Cavaliers debut, putting up 27 points with seven three-pointers made and 12 rebounds in a 114–113 win over the Brooklyn Nets. His seven three-pointers made were the most achieved by a player in a debut in Cavaliers history.{{cite web|first=John Patrick|last=Postrado|title=Max Strus officially introduces himself to Cavs by breaking all-time franchise record|url=https://cavsnation.com/cavs-news-max-strus-officially-introduces-himself-breaking-all-time-franchise-record|website=CavsNation.com|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 26, 2023}}

On February 27, 2024, Strus scored 21 points in a 121–119 win against the Dallas Mavericks. In the span of 67 seconds late in the fourth quarter, Strus made five three-pointers including a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot from 59 feet. It was the second longest game-winning buzzer beater since 1979, and Strus became the fourth player in the last 25 years to connect on five three-pointers in the last four minutes of a game.{{cite web|title=Max Strus' 59-footer lifts Cavaliers over Maverick|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/max-strus-59-footer-lifts-cavaliers-mavericks/story?id=107616058|work=ABC News|date=February 27, 2024|access-date=February 27, 2024}}

On October 19, 2024, the Cavaliers announced that Strus would miss the beginning of the season due to a right ankle sprain suffered in individual workouts during the preseason. He was held out for 6 weeks. Strus had already missed two preseason games from a right hip contusion.{{cite web|title=Cavaliers' Max Strus out six weeks with ankle sprain|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41889361/cavaliers-max-strus-six-weeks-ankle-sprain|website=ESPN.com|date=October 19, 2024|access-date=October 21, 2024}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Chicago

| 2 || 0 || 3.1 || .667 || .000 || 1.000 || .5 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 2.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2020}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Miami

| 39 || 0 || 13.0 || .455 || .338 || .667 || 1.1 || .6 || .3 || .1 || 6.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Miami

| 68 || 16 || 23.3 || .441 || .410 || .792 || 3.0 || 1.4 || .4 || .2 || 10.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Miami

| 80 || 33 || 28.4 || .410 || .350 || .876 || 3.2 || 2.1 || .5 || .2 || 11.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Cleveland

| 70 || 70 || 32.0 || .418 || .351 || .794 || 4.8 || 4.0 || .9 || .4 || 12.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Cleveland

| 50 || 37 || 25.5 || .442 || .386 || .824 || 4.3 || 3.2 || .5 || .2 || 9.4

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 309 || 156 || 25.5 || .427 || .368 || .812 || 3.4 || 2.4 || .6 || .2 || 10.4

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2021

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 2 || 0 || 2.9 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2022

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 18 || 18 || 29.0 || .374 || .331 || .722 || 4.1 || 2.1 || .8 || .4 || 10.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2023

| style="text-align:left;"|Miami

| 23 || 23 || 28.1 || .402 || .319 || .800 || 3.6 || 1.4 || .3 || .3 || 9.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2024

| style="text-align:left;"|Cleveland

| 12 || 12 || 36.1 || .408 || .347 || 1.000 || 5.3 || 2.9 || .8 || .0 || 9.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2025

| style="text-align:left;"|Cleveland

| 9 || 9 || 28.1 || .416 || .388 || .833 || 5.7 || 3.9 || .7 || .2 || 11.7

|-class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 64 || 62 || 29.1 || .395 || .339 || .796 || 4.2 || 2.2 || .6 || .3 || 9.8

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"|DePaul

| 31 || 31 || 35.6 || .408 || .333 || .803 || 5.7|| 2.7 || 1.3|| .5 || 16.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"|DePaul

| 35 || 35 || 37.4 || .429 || .363 || .842 || 5.9 || 2.2 || .9 || .5 || 20.1

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 66 || 66 || 36.6 || .420 || .350 || .825 || 5.8 || 2.5 || 1.1 || .5 || 18.6

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"|Lewis

| 31 || 31 || 28.8 || .521 || .352 || .773 || 5.3 || 2.2 || 1.5 || .8 || 13.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"|Lewis

| 33 || 33 || 36.2|| .455 || .360 || .823 || 8.4 || 3.5 || 1.2 || .8 || 20.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 64 || 64 || 32.6 || .479 || .357 || .807 || 6.9 || 2.9 || 1.4 || .8 || 16.8

{{s-end}}

Strus's father, John, played college baseball as a pitcher for Eastern Illinois and his mother, Debra, played basketball and volleyball at DePaul and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. His older brother, Marty, also played basketball at Lewis and is currently the head coach at Stagg High School. He also has an older sister, Maggie, who played college volleyball at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is currently an assistant volleyball coach at DePaul.{{cite web|first=David|last=Haugh|title=Max Strus stayed close to home to give DePaul a long-range shooting threat|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-depaul-max-strus-haugh-20180123-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=July 31, 2019}}

Known as ‘The Concept’ by many NBA fans online.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{basketballstats |nba=1629622 |bbr=s/strusma01}}

• [https://lewisflyers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4940 Lewis Flyers bio]
• [https://depaulbluedemons.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1731 DePaul Blue Demons bio]

{{Cleveland Cavaliers current roster}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Strus, Max}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Cook County, Illinois

Category:Chicago Bulls players

Category:Cleveland Cavaliers players

Category:DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball players

Category:Lewis Flyers men's basketball players

Category:Miami Heat players

Category:Shooting guards

Category:Small forwards

Category:Undrafted NBA players

Category:Windy City Bulls players