Name: Max Strus
College Attended: Lewis University and DePaul University
Degree(s) Earned: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Science in Sports Management
Graduation Year: 2016 (Lewis) and 2019 (DePaul)
Notable Achievements: Second-team All-Big East, First-team All-GLVC, Honorable Mention Division II All-American, School Record Holder for Points Scored in a Season and a Game
Impact of Education: Learned valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving that helped him excel in basketball and beyond.
Educational Journey
Max Strus started his college career at Lewis University, a Division II school in Romeoville, Illinois. He chose Lewis because it was close to his hometown of Hickory Hills, Illinois, and because his older brother Marty had played there. He also liked the small class sizes and the personal attention from the professors.
He majored in business administration and minored in marketing. He was a standout player for the Lewis Flyers, averaging 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game as a sophomore. He also set school records with 167 free throws made and 666 points scored in a single season, as well as 52 points scored in a game against Northwood University. He was named first-team all-GLVC and an honorable mention Division II All-American.
After his sophomore year, Strus decided to transfer to DePaul University, a Division I school in Chicago. He wanted to challenge himself at a higher level of competition and pursue his dream of playing in the NBA. He also wanted to earn his master’s degree in sports management. He had to sit out one season due to NCAA transfer rules, but he used that time to improve his game and adjust to his new environment.
He started every game for the DePaul Blue Demons in his junior and senior years, leading the team with 16.8 points per game as a junior and 20.1 points per game as a senior. He also made 81 three-pointers as a junior, which was the second-most in school history. He was named second-team all-Big East as a senior and graduated with his master’s degree in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Max Strus was born on March 28, 1996, in Hickory Hills, Illinois. He grew up in a sports-loving family, with his father Mark being a former baseball player and coach, his mother Debbie being a former volleyball player and coach, and his older brother Marty being a former basketball player at Lewis University. He attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, where he played both baseball and basketball.
He was a late bloomer, growing from 5’9″ as a sophomore to 6’5″ as a senior. He averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior 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. He only received one Division I offer from Chicago State University but turned it down to play at Lewis University.
Post-College Journey
Max Strus went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft but signed with the Boston Celtics as a free agent. He played for their summer league team and impressed them with his shooting and defense. However, he was waived by the Celtics before the start of the regular season and joined their G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.
He averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for the Red Claws before signing a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls in December 2019. He made his NBA debut on December 21, 2019, against the Detroit Pistons and scored five points in seven minutes. He played in 13 games for the Bulls before suffering a torn ACL that ended his season.
He recovered from his injury and signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent in November 2020. He played for their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce before being called up to the Heat in March 2021. He played in 39 games for the Heat, averaging 6.1 points and shooting 33% from three-point range. He had his career-high game on May 11, 2021, against the Boston Celtics when he scored 27 points on nine three-pointers, tying the franchise record for most threes in a game. He helped the Heat reach the playoffs but they were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent in August 2021. He is expected to play a significant role for the young and rebuilding Cavaliers, who are looking for more shooting and versatility on the wing. He is also reunited with his former DePaul teammate Paul Reed, who was traded to the Cavaliers from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Impact and Significance
Max Strus is an example of a player who overcame adversity and achieved his dream of playing in the NBA. He proved that he could compete at the highest level of college basketball after transferring from a Division II school. He also showed resilience and determination after suffering a serious injury that could have derailed his career. He is a versatile and skilled player who can shoot, pass, and defend.
He is also a hard-working and humble person who values his education and his family. He credits his college experience for helping him develop as a player and a person. He said, “I learned a lot from both schools. I learned how to be a leader, how to communicate, how to work with others, and how to solve problems. I also learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of.”
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question: Where did Max Strus go to college? We learned that he attended Lewis University and DePaul University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. We also learned about his achievements, challenges, and impact as a college and NBA player. We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and that it inspired you to pursue your own college education goals. Remember, no matter where you come from or what obstacles you face, you can achieve anything you set your mind to with hard work, dedication, and passion.