Max Strus is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has also played for the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls in his career. But what is Max Strus ethnicity and how has it influenced his life and career? In this article, we will explore the background, culture, and beliefs of this talented athlete.
Early Life and Family
Max Strus was born on March 28, 1996, in Hickory Hills, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He is the son of Mike and Debbie Strus, who are both Polish immigrants. They came to the United States in the late 1980s and settled in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where they raised Max and his older brother Marty. Max Strus ethnicity is Polish-American, and he grew up with a strong sense of his heritage and identity. According to The RC Online, his parents taught him the Polish language, customs, and traditions, and he often visited his relatives in Poland. He also celebrated Polish holidays and festivals, such as Christmas Eve, Easter, and Dyngus Day.
Max Strus developed a passion for basketball at a young age, inspired by his father and his older cousins, who were also avid players. He attended Carl Sandburg High School, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball. He 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 also led his team to the regional championship in his senior year.
College Career and NBA Journey
Despite his impressive high school performance, Max Strus did not receive many offers from Division I colleges. He decided to enroll at Lewis University, a Division II school, where his brother Marty had played. He had a stellar two-year stint at Lewis, averaging 20.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in his sophomore season. He also set school records for points scored in a season and in a game. He was named first team All- Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) and an honorable mention Division II All-American.
After his sophomore year, Max Strus transferred to DePaul University, a Division I school in the Big East Conference. He had to sit out one year due to NCAA transfer rules, but he made an immediate impact in his junior year. He led the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game and made 81 three-pointers, the second-most in program history. He also earned second team All-Big East honors in his senior year, averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He finished his college career with 1,410 points, ranking 13th on DePaul’s all-time scoring list.
Max Strus went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, but he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. He played in 13 games for the Bulls, averaging 2.5 points and 0.6 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game. He also played for the Windy City Bulls, the Bulls’ G League affiliate, where he averaged 18.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 33 games. He was waived by the Bulls in July 2020 and signed with the Miami Heat shortly after. He played in 39 games for the Heat, averaging 6.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game. He also made 33.3% of his three-point attempts and scored a career-high 21 points against the Houston Rockets on February 11, 2021.
In August 2021, Max Strus signed a four-year, $13 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining a young and promising core of players. He is expected to provide shooting and scoring off the bench for the Cavaliers, who are looking to return to the playoffs after a four-year drought.
Max Strus Ethnicity and Cultural Beliefs
Max Strus ethnicity is an important part of his identity and personality. He is proud of his Polish roots and heritage, and he often expresses his gratitude to his parents for their sacrifices and support. He also embraces his American citizenship and culture, and he considers himself a product of both worlds. He has said that he wants to represent both Poland and the United States in his basketball career, and he has expressed interest in playing for the Polish national team in the future.
Max Strus is also a devout Catholic, who credits his faith for his strength and motivation. He has said that he prays before every game and that he trusts in God’s plan for his life. He also wears a cross necklace and a bracelet with the words “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” on it. He has also participated in charity and community events, such as visiting sick children at hospitals and donating shoes to underprivileged kids.
Max Strus is a talented and humble basketball player who has overcome many challenges and obstacles in his journey to the NBA. He is also a proud and loyal son of two cultures, who values his family, faith, and heritage. He is an example of how Max Strus ethnicity and cultural beliefs have shaped his life and career.