Max Strus Bio
Max Strus 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. Strus began his NBA career in 2019 after going undrafted, initially signing with the Boston Celtics before later joining the Chicago Bulls. He has also played for the Miami Heat, where he helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Max Strus was born in the Chicago suburb of Hickory Hills, Illinois, 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. His 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.
Path to Basketball
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). 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.
He 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. Following the season, Strus announced that he would be leaving the program in order to play at the Division I level. Strus scored 1,078 points in his two seasons at Lewis.
Max Strus Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
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. After being waived by the Celtics, Strus signed a two-way contract with his hometown Chicago Bulls on October 22, 2019. Strus made his NBA debut on November 22, against the Miami Heat, playing the final five minutes of a 116-108 loss and scoring five points with one rebound.
On December 23, the Bulls announced that Strus had 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 two days prior; he was subsequently ruled out for 8-to-12 months. Strus ended his rookie season with five points scored in two games played, also averaging 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 13 games with Windy City.
Miami Heat Breakthrough (2020-2023)
On November 30, 2020, Strus signed a training camp contract with the Miami Heat. The Heat converted his contract into a two-way contract on December 19, towards the end of training camp. On February 11, 2021, he came into a game against the Houston 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 and five days later, he signed a two-year contract worth $3.5 million to remain with the Heat.
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. On May 6, Strus scored 19 points during a 105–86 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 win against the New York Knicks. On June 1, Strus finished scoreless after going 0 of 10 in a Game 1 NBA Finals loss against the Denver Nuggets. He 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 Era (2023-Present)
On July 6, 2023, Strus signed a four–year, $63 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade agreement. On October 25, 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. 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.
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. He made 50 appearances (37 starts) for the Cavaliers during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. On August 26, 2025, it was announced that Strus would miss 3-to-4 months after undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot. On March 15, 2026, Strus made his return from injury, putting up 24 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in a 130–120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Playing Style and Strengths
Strus is known for his shooting ability, particularly from three-point range. He has developed into a reliable catch-and-shoot threat and has shown the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. His height of 6’5″ allows him to guard multiple positions on the perimeter, making him a versatile defensive player as well. Strus has also demonstrated clutch shooting ability, as evidenced by his game-winning shot against the Mavericks in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Strus reached the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat in 2023, though the team fell short in five games to the Denver Nuggets. His debut with the Cavaliers was memorable as he made seven three-pointers, setting a franchise record for most threes made in a debut. His game-winning shot against the Mavericks in 2024 was the second-longest in NBA history since 1979, showcasing his ability to deliver in pressure moments.
Max Strus Career Wins
Strus has built a solid NBA career as an undrafted player who has steadily improved each season. He has become known for his three-point shooting and clutch performances, particularly with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA Highlights
Strus has demonstrated consistent shooting throughout his career, particularly from beyond the arc. With the Heat, he played a key role in their playoff runs, including their Finals appearance in 2023. With the Cavaliers, he set a franchise record with seven three-pointers in his debut. His career high in points is 31, which he scored against the Chicago Bulls in 2023.
College Achievements
During his collegiate career, Strus earned numerous accolades. At Lewis University, he was named first-team All-GLVC in 2016 after averaging 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He was also a second-team All-GLVC selection in 2015. At DePaul, he earned second-team All-Big East honors in 2019 after averaging 20.1 points per game. He also set single-season school records for three-point shots made (113) and attempted (311) during his time with the Blue Demons.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | Notable performances | Multiple playoff appearances | Notable shooting performances |
| 1,078 points at Lewis, 1,226 at DePaul | All-GLVC All-Big East selections | School records for three-point shooting |
Max Strus Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Max Strus comes from a sports-oriented family. His father, John Strus, played college baseball as a pitcher for Eastern Illinois. His mother, Debra Strus, 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 University and currently serves as the head coach at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School.
Personal Life
Strus has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing on his basketball career. He comes from a family with strong athletic ties, with his mother being inducted into DePaul’s Athletic Hall of Fame. His sister, Maggie, played college volleyball at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is currently an assistant volleyball coach at DePaul.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved challenging for Strus as he missed the beginning of the season due to a right ankle sprain suffered during preseason workouts. He was held out for six weeks after the initial injury and had also missed two preseason games from a right hip contusion. Strus made 50 appearances (37 starts) during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. His season was further impacted by a Jones fracture in his left foot in August 2025, which required surgery and sidelined him for 3-to-4 months. Strus made his return on March 15, 2026, putting up 24 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in a 130–120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, showing a strong performance in his comeback game.