40 Facts About Max Christie

Early Life and Family

Max Christie has been making waves in the NBA, particularly with his recent re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Let's dive into his early life and family background.

1. Max Christie was born on February 10, 2003, in the United States.
2. He is the younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Max Christie, who recently re-signed with the team after being a 2022 second-round pick.

Physical Attributes

Max's physical attributes play a significant role in his performance on the court.

3. Christie stands at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) tall.
4. He weighs 190 pounds (86.2 kilograms).

College and High School Career

Max's journey through high school and college basketball set the stage for his professional career.

5. Christie attended Michigan State University, where he played college basketball.
6. He was a consensus 5-star prospect and a Day 1 starter for the Michigan State Spartans.
7. Before attending Michigan State, Christie was a standout player in high school.
8. He was a McDonald's All-American.
9. Christie played for Team USA's U16 FIBA squad, where he won a gold medal.

NBA Draft and Contract

Max's entry into the NBA and his contract details are crucial aspects of his career.

10. Christie was selected as the 35th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
11. Despite being a second-round pick, he has shown significant promise in his early career with the Lakers.
12. In June 2024, Christie signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
13. The deal includes a player option, indicating that he has a significant role in the team's future plans.

Role in the Lakers

Max's role in the Lakers' rotation and his playing style are essential to understanding his impact on the team.

14. The Lakers have identified Christie as a key player in their rotation.
15. He is expected to contribute significantly to the team's offense and defense, particularly with his shooting abilities.
16. Christie is known for his high IQ and ability to cut effectively without the ball.
17. He has shown flashes of being able to hit shots from deep off the dribble.
18. Christie has a solid shooting touch, particularly from mid-range.

Shooting and Defensive Abilities

Max's shooting and defensive skills make him a valuable asset on the court.

19. Christie has demonstrated excellent free throw shooting skills, with an 82% shooting percentage as a freshman in college.
20. He had an 88.9% shooting percentage in the Under Armour Association.
21. He is a willing defender and has had success on that end, particularly in the physically demanding Big Ten Conference.
22. Christie has shown the ability to block shots, averaging 1.2 blocks per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2019.

Areas for Improvement

Even with his impressive skills, Max has areas where he can improve.

23. Christie still needs to improve his physical strength.
24. He didn't quite have the necessary physical or athletic traits to overcome his lack of strength consistently at the college level.
25. Christie is an average ball handler who doesn't have a second gear to cleanly blow by perimeter defenders.
26. He often settles for contested mid-range pull-ups, which can lead to inefficiency in his shooting percentages.
27. While Christie is unselfish and patient on the court, he doesn't show advanced playmaking ability.
28. He averaged 1.6 assists to 4.5 turnovers per game over the Under Armour Association in 2019.

Leadership and Personal Insights

Max's leadership skills and personal insights give us a glimpse into his character.

29. Christie has shown leadership qualities, often taking initiative in practice and being communicative with his teammates.
30. He was praised by coaches for his ability to lead by example and make sure everyone was on the same page.
31. One of Christie's favorite basketball memories is winning a gold medal with Team USA's U16 national team in Brazil.
32. He still has the jersey from that game hanging up in his room.
33. In an interview, Christie emphasized his desire to be a well-spoken and low-maintenance player.
34. He stressed the importance of being clean, organized, and neat, which he believes helps him stand out to NBA teams.

College Performance and Coach's Praise

Max's college performance and the praise he received from his coach highlight his potential.

35. During his one-and-done season at Michigan State, Christie played a smaller role within the offense but showed promising flashes.
36. He was one of the only freshmen in a high-major conference to make at least 35 shots from both the midrange and beyond the arc.
37. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo gave Christie more minutes than any other freshman in over a decade, highlighting his potential and work ethic.
38. Izzo praised Christie for his incredible workouts, noting that he shot the cover off the ball, played with great pace, and finished at the rim.
39. An assistant coach described Christie's workout as the best he had seen, praising his ability to cut without the ball, be assertive and aggressive, and do all the little things like sprinting to the corners.

Future Prospects

Max Christie's future prospects look bright given his recent contract extension and the Lakers' plans to make him a rotation player.

40. He has the potential to become a key contributor to the Lakers' success in the coming years, and his dedication to improving his game will likely see him continue to grow as a player.

Max Christie's Bright Future

Max Christie is a young talent making waves in the NBA. Standing at 6'6" and playing as a shooting guard, he's already shown promise with the Los Angeles Lakers. From his early days as a McDonald's All-American to his gold medal with Team USA's U16 squad, Christie's journey has been impressive. His college career at Michigan State showcased his skills, earning him a spot as the 35th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

Christie's strengths include his shooting touch, free throw accuracy, and defensive abilities. While he needs to improve his physical strength and shot selection, his potential is undeniable. With a four-year, $32 million contract, the Lakers see him as a key player for their future. As he continues to develop, Max Christie is poised to become a significant contributor to the Lakers' success.