Max Christie Bio
Cormac Karl “Max” Christie Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on February 10, 2003, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Christie was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 35th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after playing one season for the Michigan State Spartans. After three seasons with the Lakers organization, he was traded to Dallas in February 2025 and signed a four-year, $32 million contract extension. Known for his three-point shooting and defensive versatility, Christie has emerged as a promising young player in the league.
Early Life and Background
Max Christie grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with a strong basketball lineage. His mother, Katrina Christie (née Hannaford), played college basketball at Northwestern University, where she scored over 1,000 points, and later became a psychotherapist. His father, Max Christie Sr., played college basketball at Parkland College and the University of Wisconsin–Superior before working as an airline pilot. Christie’s younger brother, Cam Christie, also pursued basketball at the University of Minnesota and was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024.
Christie attended Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, where he quickly established himself as an elite high school player. During his freshman year, he averaged 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game. His sophomore season saw him average 25.5 points, 10 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while scoring a career-high 51 points against Elk Grove High School. As a junior, he averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds per game, earning Pioneer Press Player of the Year honors.
Path to Basketball
Christie continued his dominant play as a senior at Rolling Meadows High School, averaging 24 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game while leading his team to a perfect 15–0 record. He was recognized as Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year, News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year and Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year. Christie was selected to the rosters for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit in 2021.
As a consensus five-star recruit, Christie was one of the top players in the 2021 recruiting class. On July 7, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Michigan State over offers from Duke, Villanova and Ohio State, among others. He was also selected to represent the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil, where he averaged 9.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and helped the team win the gold medal.
Max Christie Career
Michigan State Spartans (2021–2022)
Christie made an immediate impact at Michigan State University during his freshman season. On January 5, 2022, he scored a season-high 21 points in a 79–67 win against Nebraska. For the season, he averaged 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the conference.
Following his successful freshman campaign, Christie declared for the 2022 NBA Draft on April 1, 2022, while maintaining his college eligibility. On May 16, he announced he would hire an agent and remain in the draft, ending his collegiate career after just one season.
Los Angeles Lakers (2022–2025)
Christie was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft with the 35th overall pick. He joined the Lakers’ Summer League roster and made his debut against the Miami Heat, scoring five points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 100–66 California Classic win. On July 8, 2022, Christie signed his rookie scale contract with the Lakers.
During his rookie season, Christie appeared in limited minutes while developing with the organization. He scored a season-high 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting and 2-of-3 made three-pointers on January 10 in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. He was assigned to the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League on March 8, 2023, and was recalled two days later. For the season, he averaged 3.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1 assist per game.
On December 9, 2023, Christie and the Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, earning an NBA Cup championship. During the 2023–24 season, he tied his career high with 14 points twice, first against the Miami Heat in January and then against the Phoenix Suns eight days later.
Christie re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $32 million deal on July 2, 2024. When the Lakers hired head coach JJ Redick in the summer of 2024, the two worked out together in Las Vegas ahead of the season. Despite a slow start shooting the three-pointer in October and November, Christie improved significantly after becoming a starter, shooting over 45% on threes over an eight-game stretch while averaging 10.6 points per game. Throughout the season, he earned high praise for his defense from Lakers stars LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, as well as coach Redick.
Christie set new career highs in scoring multiple times during the 2024–25 season, recording 15 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves in December, 17 against the Detroit Pistons later that month, and a career-high 28 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 2, 2025. Overall for the Lakers in 2024–25, he shot 37% on three-pointers in 25 minutes per game while averaging 8.5 points per game.
Dallas Mavericks (2025–present)
On February 2, 2025, Christie was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a major blockbuster deal. He arrived alongside Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick in exchange for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Mavericks also acquired additional assets in the transaction.
Over the remainder of the 2024–25 season with Dallas, Christie increased his scoring output to 11.2 points per game while shooting 36.4% on three-pointers and playing 30 minutes per game. His highest scoring game for the Mavericks in 2025 was 23 points, showing his ability to contribute immediately with his new team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Christie has developed into a reliable three-point shooter with increasing consistency at the NBA level. His shooting percentages have shown significant improvement each season, from his early development years to his breakout performances with Dallas. Beyond his offensive contributions, Christie has earned recognition for his defensive efforts, drawing praise from teammates and coaches for his work on that end of the floor. His ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable two-way player in the Mavericks’ rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Christie’s career has been marked by steady progression and memorable moments. Winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament with the Lakers in 2023 provided him with championship experience early in his career. His 28-point performance against Portland in January 2025 represented his career-high scoring output. With Dallas, he has shown the ability to score in bunches, including a game against the New York Knicks where he made a career-high eight three-pointers during a four-game stretch of 20-point performances between January 18 and 25, 2026.
Max Christie Career Wins and Achievements
Christie has accumulated notable achievements at every level of his basketball career, from high school honors to professional success.
NBA Highlights
Christie’s most significant professional achievement came in December 2023 when he won the NBA Cup as part of the Lakers’ championship team in the inaugural In-Season Tournament. His individual statistics have shown consistent improvement throughout his NBA career, with his scoring average rising each season as he earned more playing time and responsibility with both the Lakers and Mavericks organizations.
College and High School Honors
Prior to his professional career, Christie earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors at Michigan State in 2022. In high school, he was named Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year during his senior season at Rolling Meadows High School. He was also selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoop Summit, two of the most prestigious all-star games for high school players.
| Level | Season | PPG | RPG | 3PT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA (Dallas) | 2024-26 | 11.2-12.8 | 3.5+ | 36.4-47 |
| NBA (Lakers) | 2022-25 | 3.1-8.5 | 1.8-3.0 | 37-42 |
| College (MSU) | 2021-22 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 32 |
Max Christie Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Christie comes from a family with deep roots in basketball. His mother, Katrina Christie, was a standout college player at Northwestern University, where she scored over 1,000 career points, combining her athletic career with later becoming a psychotherapist. His father, Max Christie Sr., played college basketball at Parkland College and the University of Wisconsin–Superior before pursuing a career as an airline pilot.
Personal Life
Christie’s younger brother, Cam Christie, followed a similar basketball path, playing at the University of Minnesota before being selected with the 46th overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Christie brothers were teammates at Rolling Meadows High School, with Cam playing for the varsity team during Max’s senior season. Outside of basketball, Max Christie is a fan of Japanese manga and anime. He has shown remarkable dedication to his craft, working to improve his shooting and defensive abilities throughout his young career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season proved to be a transformative year for Christie. After beginning the season with limited minutes and struggling with his three-point shooting in October and November, he earned a spot in the starting lineup and responded with excellent production. Over an eight-game stretch as a starter, he shot over 45% from three-point range while averaging 10.6 points per game. He continued his strong play over the subsequent 17 games, making nearly 41% from three-point range and averaging 10.9 points per game.
The mid-season trade to Dallas in February 2025 provided Christie with a fresh start and expanded role. He immediately contributed at a higher level, averaging 11.2 points per game over the remainder of the season while playing 30 minutes per game. The Mavericks valued his shooting ability and defensive versatility as they pursued their playoff goals.
Early in the 2025–26 season, Christie has continued his upward trajectory, averaging 12.8 points per game over the first 20 games while shooting an impressive 47% from three-point range. He has played in every game, demonstrating durability and consistency. Between January 18 and 25, he recorded four consecutive 20-point games, including a career-high eight three-pointers against the New York Knicks, showcasing his development into a reliable scoring threat at the NBA level.