50 Facts About Max Strus

Max Strus, the 28-year-old shooting guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has made a significant impact on the NBA scene. Born on March 28, 1996, in Hickory Hills, Illinois, Strus is of Slovenian and German descent. His journey to NBA stardom is as remarkable as his on-court prowess. Here are 50 key facts about him:

Early Life and Background

Max Strus's early life set the foundation for his basketball career. Let's explore his roots and family background.

1. Birth and Early Life: Max Strus was born on March 28, 1996, in Hickory Hills, Illinois.
2. Ethnicity: He is of Slovenian and German descent.
3. Family Background: Strus hails from a family deeply rooted in athletics. His father, John, was a college baseball pitcher at Eastern Illinois University, while his mother, Debra, played basketball and volleyball at DePaul University.
4. Siblings: Max’s older brother, Marty, played basketball at Lewis University, and his older sister, Maggie, played college volleyball at the University of Illinois.

High School and College Journey

Strus's path to the NBA wasn't straightforward. His high school and college years were filled with challenges and triumphs.

5. High School Career: Strus began his basketball journey at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, where he was named ‘Area Player of The Year’ by The Reporter.
6. College Journey: Despite not receiving many Division I scholarship offers, Strus opted to attend Lewis University, a Division II school, where he played for two seasons before transferring to DePaul University.
7. DePaul University: At DePaul, Strus accumulated 1,226 points (29th in school history) and averaged 20.1 points per game, leading the conference in 3-point attempts (311) and minutes played (1,309).
8. College Honors: Strus earned College Basketball Player of the Week honors during the first week of March 2019, after averaging 34.0 PPG on 64.9 percent shooting from the field.

Professional Beginnings

Max Strus's professional career began with some hurdles, but his perseverance paid off.

9. Draft Status: Strus went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft but signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics during the NBA Summer League.
10. First Professional Contract: His first professional contract was with the Chicago Bulls in October 2019, where he played on a two-way contract.
11. NBA Debut: Strus made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls in November 2019, contributing five points and a rebound in a 116-108 loss against the Miami Heat.
12. G League Performance: During his rookie season, Strus averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 13 G League games.

Miami Heat and Breakthrough

Strus found his stride with the Miami Heat, showcasing his skills and earning recognition.

13. Miami Heat Contract: Strus signed a contract with the Miami Heat in 2020, where he played for three seasons before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023.
14. Career Statistics: As of the 2023-2024 season, Strus has played in 16 NBA games, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over 32.0 minutes per game.
15. Notable Game: In a game against the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023, Strus delivered an extraordinary performance, sinking five consecutive three-pointers and hitting a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot from 59 feet, marking the second-longest game-winning buzzer-beater since 1979.
16. Three-Point Shooting: Strus is known for his sharpshooting skills, particularly from beyond the arc. He has shot 42.9 percent on wide-open three-point attempts, tied with Donovan Mitchell and comparable to other great shooters like Kyrie Irving, Mikal Bridges, and James Harden.

Cleveland Cavaliers and Current Role

Strus's move to the Cleveland Cavaliers marked a new chapter in his career, where he continues to shine.

17. Contract Details: Strus signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023, with a salary of $14,487,684 for the 2023-2024 season and $15,212,068 for the 2024-2025 season.
18. Resurgence with Cavaliers: Strus’s resurgence with the Cleveland Cavaliers has been significant, as he has emerged as a key contributor off the bench, providing sharpshooting and scoring depth to the team.
19. Statistical Analysis: Strus remains locked into Cleveland's starting lineup, having recorded perfect attendance through the team's first 56 games. However, his scoring volatility has been extreme compared to his 2022-23 breakout campaign.
20. Three-Point Attempt Rate: Strus has a high three-point attempt rate, with 77 percent of his shots coming from distance, and he converts 2.7 threes per game at 41.0 percent.

Personal Growth and Achievements

Strus's personal growth and achievements highlight his dedication and hard work.

21. Physical Growth: Strus was a late-bloomer physically, growing from 5-foot-9 until his sophomore year in high school. He initially preferred football and baseball but eventually decided on basketball.
22. High School Sports: In high school, Strus played football until two collarbone breaks in five years led him to quit the sport. He also played baseball all four years as a pitcher and considered pursuing it in college like his father.
23. College Athletic Options: Despite playing in a talent-rich area of Illinois, Strus only had one Division I offer coming out of high school, which was from Chicago State. He turned it down and opted to start his college career elsewhere.
24. Division II Career: Strus spent two seasons at Lewis University, a Division II program, where he shined, averaging 13.3 points as a freshman and 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as a sophomore. He was named an honorable mention Division II All-American.
25. Single-Game Scoring High: Strus’s single-game scoring high at Lewis University was 52 points.
26. Transfer to DePaul: After two seasons at Lewis University, Strus decided to sit out a year and transfer to DePaul University, where major programs like Louisville, Oregon, Butler, and Xavier showed interest in him.
27. DePaul University Career: At DePaul, Strus averaged over 20 points per game as a senior and was named a 2nd Team All-Big East member. He is third all-time in program history with 194 three-pointers made.
28. Mother’s Influence: Strus’s mother, Debra, played basketball and volleyball at DePaul University and is a member of the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame. This influenced Strus’s decision to attend DePaul.

On-Court Prowess

Strus's on-court skills have earned him a reputation as a sharpshooter and a reliable player.

29. Professional Breakthrough: Strus’s breakthrough in the NBA came during his time with the Miami Heat, where he showcased his skills as a sharpshooter and contributor off the bench.
30. Analytic-Friendly Performance: Strus’s analytic-friendly performance is notable, as he takes the vast majority of his shot attempts either from three or near the rim. His shot chart resembles a painting Daryl Morey would hang on his wall.
31. Career High Performance: Strus had the best game of his professional career with the Miami Heat, putting up 21 points on six-of-nine shooting, including five three-pointers, in a 101-94 win against the Houston Rockets.
32. Interaction with Teammates: Strus has earned the respect of teammates like Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic, who recognize his potential and contributions to the team.
33. Effective Field Goal Percentage: Strus’s effective field goal percentage is 55.3 percent, indicating his efficiency in scoring both from the field and three-point range.
34. True Shooting Percentage: His true shooting percentage is 53.3 percent, which measures his efficiency at shooting the ball, taking into account field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point percentage.
35. Free Throw Rate: Strus has a free throw rate of 13.3 percent, indicating his frequency of attempting free throws relative to field goal attempts.

Defensive Contributions and Challenges

While known for his offense, Strus also contributes defensively, though he faces some challenges.

36. Offensive Rebound Percentage: He has an offensive rebound percentage of 8.5 percent, showing his ability to grab available offensive rebounds while on the floor.
37. Defensive Rebound Percentage: Strus’s defensive rebound percentage is 17.5 percent, indicating his contribution to securing defensive rebounds.
38. Assist Percentage: He has an assist percentage of 1.3 percent, showing his role in assisting teammates while on the floor.
39. Steal Percentage: Strus’s steal percentage is 1.2 percent, indicating his ability to create turnovers through steals.
40. Block Percentage: He has a block percentage of 9.6 percent, showing his defensive prowess in blocking opponent two-point field goal attempts.
41. Turnover Percentage: Strus’s turnover percentage is 0.0 percent, indicating his low rate of committing turnovers per 100 plays.
42. Usage Percentage: He has a usage percentage of 26.4 percent, showing his involvement in team plays while on the floor.

Fantasy Value and Future Prospects

Strus's performance also holds value in fantasy basketball, and his future looks promising.

43. Fantasy Points Per Game: Strus averages 0.8 fantasy points per minute, which is a measure of his fantasy value in games.
44. Fantasy Points Per Minute: His fantasy points per minute are 0.8, indicating his consistent contribution to fantasy teams.
45. Role in Cavaliers Offense: Strus’s role in the Cavaliers’ offense is significant, as he provides a sharpshooting option who can get open and knock down open shots, improving the team’s efficiency.
46. Defensive Concerns: Despite his offensive prowess, Strus is undersized for a small forward and may pose defensive challenges, particularly against taller opponents.
47. Impact on Opponents: The presence of Strus on the court forces opponents to choose between guarding him or Donovan Mitchell, both of whom are skilled shooters. This decision creates a dilemma for opposing defenses, benefiting the Cavaliers.
48. Career Milestones: Strus has reached several career milestones, including becoming one of only four players in the last 25 years to connect on five three-pointers within the final four minutes of a game.
49. Community Recognition: Strus’s achievements have garnered recognition within the basketball community, with his name being mentioned alongside other great shooters like Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
50. Future Prospects: As a key contributor to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Strus’s future prospects look promising. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc and contribute on offense makes him an exciting player to watch.

Max Strus: A Rising Star

Max Strus's journey from an overlooked high school player to a key contributor in the NBA is nothing short of inspiring. His dedication and hard work have paid off, making him a vital asset for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Strus's sharpshooting skills, especially from beyond the arc, have made him a player to watch. His ability to perform under pressure, like his memorable game-winning shot against the Dallas Mavericks, showcases his talent and potential. With a solid family background in sports and a relentless drive, Strus continues to improve and make significant contributions to his team. As he grows, fans can expect even more exciting moments from this rising star. Max Strus's story is a testament to perseverance and the impact of seizing every opportunity. Keep an eye on him; his best is yet to come.