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Max Strus

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Max Strus
Strus in 2023
No. 1 – Cleveland Cavaliers
PositionSmall forward / shooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1996-03-28) March 28, 1996 (age 28)
Hickory Hills, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolAmos Alonzo Stagg
(Palos Hills, Illinois)
College
NBA draft2019: undrafted
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2020Chicago Bulls
2019–2020→Windy City Bulls
2020–2023Miami Heat
2023–presentCleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference

Max Strus (/struːs/ STROOSS;[1] born March 28, 1996) 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. Prior to the Cavaliers, Strus played two games for the Chicago Bulls in his rookie season before signing with the Miami Heat, with whom he reached the NBA Finals in 2023.

Early life

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Strus was born in the Chicago suburb of Hickory Hills, Illinois[2] and is of Slovenian and German descent. He shares a birthday with Lady Gaga.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

College career

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Lewis

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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).[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9] Following the season, Strus announced that he would be leaving the program in order to play at the Division I level.[10] Strus scored 1,078 points in his two seasons at Lewis.[11]

DePaul

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Strus with DePaul in 2018

Strus transferred to DePaul after his sophomore year.[4] 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.[12]

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 former 1st Overall draft pick 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).[13][14][15][16]

Professional career

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Chicago Bulls (2019–2020)

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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.[17] 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.[18][19] The roster move put Strus in direct competition with Javonte Green for the final spot on the Celtics' opening day roster.[20] He was ultimately cut shortly before the start of the regular season.[21]

After being waived by the Celtics, Strus signed a two-way contract with his hometown Chicago Bulls on October 22, 2019.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25]

Miami Heat (2020–2023)

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On November 30, 2020, Strus signed a training camp contract with the Miami Heat.[26] The Heat converted his contract to a two-way contract on December 19, 2020, towards the end of training camp.[27] 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[28] and five days later, he signed a two-year contract worth $3.5 million to remain with the Heat.[29]

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.[30] On May 6, Strus scored 19 points during a 105–86 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 win against the New York Knicks.[31] 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.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2023–present)

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On July 6, 2023, Strus signed a 4–year, $63 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade agreement.[32]

Strus with the Cavaliers in 2023

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.[33]

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.[34]

On October 19, 2024, the Cavaliers announced that Strus would miss the beginning of the season, due to a right ankle sprain from individual workouts during the preseason, for 6 weeks. Strus had already missed two preseason games from a right hip contusion.[35]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Chicago 2 0 3.1 .667 .000 1.000 .5 .0 .0 .0 2.5
2020–21 Miami 39 0 13.0 .455 .338 .667 1.1 .6 .3 .1 6.1
2021–22 Miami 68 16 23.3 .441 .410 .792 3.0 1.4 .4 .2 10.6
2022–23 Miami 80 33 28.4 .410 .350 .876 3.2 2.1 .5 .2 11.5
2023–24 Cleveland 70 70 32.0 .418 .351 .794 4.8 4.0 .9 .4 12.2
Career 259 119 25.5 .424 .365 .811 3.2 2.2 .6 .2 10.6

Play-in

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 Miami 2 2 30.0 .429 .471 1.000 5.5 .5 .5 .0 17.0
Career 2 2 30.0 .429 .471 1.000 5.5 .5 .5 .0 17.0

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Miami 2 0 2.9 .000 — — .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
2022 Miami 18 18 29.0 .374 .331 .722 4.1 2.1 .8 .4 10.9
2023 Miami 23 23 28.1 .402 .319 .800 3.6 1.4 .3 .3 9.3
2024 Cleveland 12 12 36.1 .408 .347 1.000 5.3 2.9 .8 .0 9.5
Career 55 53 29.3 .392 .330 .792 4.0 1.9 .6 .3 9.5

College

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NCAA Division I

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 DePaul 31 31 35.6 .408 .333 .803 5.7 2.7 1.3 .5 16.8
2018–19 DePaul 35 35 37.4 .429 .363 .842 5.9 2.2 .9 .5 20.1
Career 66 66 36.6 .420 .350 .825 5.8 2.5 1.1 .5 18.6

NCAA Division II

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Lewis 31 31 28.8 .521 .352 .773 5.3 2.2 1.5 .8 13.3
2015–16 Lewis 33 33 36.2 .455 .360 .823 8.4 3.5 1.2 .8 20.2
Career 64 64 32.6 .479 .357 .807 6.9 2.9 1.4 .8 16.8

Personal life

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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.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "2023-24 start of season NBA pronunciation guide" (Press release). National Basketball Association. October 24, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. ^ Kenney, Madeline (May 30, 2018). "Max Strus decides to return to DePaul after withdrawing from NBA Draft". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Shaï Mamou (January 10, 2024). "ITW Max Strus : La Heat Culture, son shoot et Wembanyama]". basketsession.com.
  4. ^ a b c Haugh, David (January 23, 2018). "Max Strus stayed close to home to give DePaul a long-range shooting threat". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  5. ^ Brennan, Sean (December 15, 2017). "Local Talent Strus Leads A Streaking DePaul". BigEast.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  6. ^ Goss, Dick. "Lewis men inexperienced, but with good nucleus". The Herald-News.
  7. ^ D, Joel (March 30, 2016). "Is Xavier replacing Larry Austin with a Division 2 player?". Banners On The Parkway.
  8. ^ "Three Flyers earn All-Midwest honors". The Herald-News. March 14, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Millar, Steve (November 27, 2015). "Lewis' Max Strus scores school record 52 points on just 18 shots". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Westerholm, Tom (July 3, 2019). "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'". MassLive.com. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  11. ^ "Lewis Men's Basketball 1,000 Point Club". LewisFlyers.com. Lewis University Athletic Department. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  12. ^ "DePaul's Max Strus to declare for draft, won't hire agent". ABC7 Chicago. March 28, 2018.
  13. ^ Quinn, Justin (July 19, 2019). "Report: Max Strus officially inks Two-Way deal with Celtics". Celtics Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  14. ^ Steeno, Paul (April 5, 2019). "Injury plagued Blue Demons battle for CBI championship". The DePaulia. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  15. ^ "Strus Signs Two-Way Contract with Boston Celtics". DePaulBlueDemons.com. June 21, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  16. ^ Kreymer, Lawrence (June 21, 2019). "DePaul senior guard Max Strus signs two-way contract with Celtics". The DePaulia. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  17. ^ "Celtics Sign Four Players". NBA.com. July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  18. ^ "Celtics Announce Roster Moves Strus signed to standard NBA contract; Fall converted to two-way roster slot". NBA.com. October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  19. ^ Westerholm, Tom (October 13, 2019). "Boston Celtics' Tacko Fall's two-way deal puts Max Strus, Javonte Green in competition for final roster spot". MassLive.com.
  20. ^ Doyle, Ricky (October 17, 2019). "Javonte Green Or Max Strus? Danny Ainge Breaks Down Celtics Roster Battle". NESN.
  21. ^ Westerholm, Tom (October 19, 2019). "Boston Celtics waive Max Strus and others, opening door for Javonte Green to earn final roster spot". MassLive.com. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  22. ^ "Bulls sign former DePaul guard Max Strus to a 2-way contract". Chicago Tribune. October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  23. ^ McGraw, Mike (November 22, 2019). "Late run salvages little respect in Bulls' loss to Miami". Daily Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  24. ^ "MAX STRUS INJURY UPDATE STRUS TO MISS 8-TO-12 MONTHS WITH TORN ACL AND BONE BRUISE". NBA.com. December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  25. ^ Miller, Andrew (December 24, 2019). "Chicago Bulls: Promising wing Max Strus out for season with torn ACL". PippenAintEasy.com. FanSided. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  26. ^ "Max Strus Signs With HEAT". NBA.com. November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  27. ^ "Max Strus gets Miami Heat two-way contract". Miami Herald. December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "2021 Miami HEAT Summer League Roster". NBA.com. August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  29. ^ "HEAT RE-SIGNS MAX STRUS". NBA.com. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "Bulls vs. Heat score, takeaways: Jimmy Butler leads Miami to Play-In Tournament win to secure No. 8 seed". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  31. ^ Butler scores 28, Heat top Knicks 105-86 for 2-1 series lead
  32. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Max Strus". NBA.com. July 6, 2023.
  33. ^ Postrado, John Patrick (October 25, 2023). "Max Strus officially introduces himself to Cavs by breaking all-time franchise record". Cavs Nation. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  34. ^ "Max Strus' 59-footer lifts Cavaliers over Maverick". ABC News. February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  35. ^ "Cavaliers' Max Strus out six weeks with ankle sprain". ESPN. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
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