Max Strus is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on March 28, 1998, in Hickory Hills, Illinois, Strus played college basketball for the DePaul Blue Demons before going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft. Despite going undrafted, Strus worked hard to get noticed by NBA teams and eventually landed a spot on the Miami Heat roster.
Early Life and College Career
Max Strus grew up in Hickory Hills, Illinois, and attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in nearby Palos Hills. In high school, Strus was a standout athlete, playing both basketball and football. He was a two-time all-state selection in basketball and led his team to a regional championship in his senior year.
After graduating from high school, Strus enrolled at Lewis University, a Division II school in Romeoville, Illinois. He played basketball for one year at Lewis before transferring to DePaul University, a Division I school in Chicago, Illinois.
At DePaul, Strus played three seasons of college basketball and was one of the team’s top scorers each year. In his junior season, Strus averaged 20.1 points per game and was named to the All-Big East Second Team. He followed that up with a senior season in which he averaged 19.0 points per game and was once again named to the All-Big East Second Team.
Undrafted and Determined
Despite his success in college, Max Strus went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft. However, he did not let that setback discourage him. Strus continued to work hard and impress NBA teams during the summer league and preseason.
After playing for the Boston Celtics in the NBA Summer League, Strus signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat in July 2019. This meant that Strus would split his time between the Heat and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Rising Star in the NBA
Max Strus made his NBA debut on December 28, 2019, for the Miami Heat. He played in 10 games during the 2019-20 NBA season, averaging 1.9 points per game. Strus also spent time playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League, where he averaged 18.1 points per game.
During the 2020-21 NBA season, Strus saw more playing time with the Miami Heat due to injuries to other players. He played in 39 games, averaging 6.1 points per game and shooting 37.5% from three-point range. Strus had several notable performances during the season, including a career-high 21 points in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Future Outlook
Max Strus has shown that he is a hard-working and determined player who is willing to put in the effort to succeed at the highest level. He has impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic and willingness to learn.
With his skill set as a shooter and scorer, Strus has the potential to become a valuable player for the Miami Heat in the future. He will continue to work on his game and improve his overall skills in order to contribute to the team’s success.
Conclusion
Max Strus is a rising star in the NBA who has overcome adversity to make it to the highest level of professional basketball. He has shown that hard work and determination can pay off, even when faced with setbacks. As he continues to develop his skills and gain experience, Strus has the potential to become a valuable player for the Miami Heat and a fan favorite for years to come.
