Chicago kid makes it big in the NBA

This one is an amazing sports story and, to be sure, one that has largely flown under the radar-both nationally and even here in his hometown of Chicago.  

Miami Heat player, starter, and, dare we say, star Max Strus has played the part of the unsung, underdog role to perfection.

In fact, one could surmise that if "flying under the radar" were an Olympic sport, the guy wearing jersey number 31 for the Miami Heat might be standing on the top pedestal sporting an Olympic gold medal.

Consider where Strus has come from and where he is now.

Max was a little-known basketball commodity as a young player at Chicago's Alonzo Stagg HS. A fairly nondescript freshman and sophomore player who started high school at about 5 feet 9 inches. He did finally enter a bit of local basketball radar when he had a growth spurt. By his junior year, he was up to 6'4 and became the leading scorer for the Stagg team. By his senior year, he was the conference player of the year.

At that point, Strus had the full-on basketball bug and was certain he could play at the higher collegiate levels. That confidence level didn't quite extend too far out though, as let's just say not many of the Division-1 college scouts and coaches agreed. Few were camping out on the Strus front lawn, trying to woo him to their campus. In fact, a grand total of one offer came his way, and it was from Chicago State.

So, Strus decided to go a different route and "take his talents" to Romeoville and play for Division 3 Lewis University. His brother Marty had played there, so he was familiar with the program. It was there that his basketball potential really started to shine. Scoring well into double figures in both his years there and displaying his ever-impressive athletic abilities, college coaches finally started to take notice.

Division 1 basketball would indeed finally come calling as Strus was suddenly in hot demand. Offers from big-time programs such as Butler, Xavier, Louisville, and others, but he turned them down instead of opting for something much closer to home.

The born and bred Chicago kid, and burgeoning basketball star decided to stay local and play for our very own DePaul Blue Demons.

It didn't take long for Big East Conference opponents and DePaul fans to quickly become familiar with Strus. He was an instant starter and primary scorer for the Blue Demons right from the get-go, making the adjustment to big-time D-1 basketball look remarkably easy.

His explosive quickness, his strength, his jumping ability, defensive intensity, and his shot-oh that beautiful jump shot!- all became fixtures at Belden Avenue, while he easily became a fan favorite.

He averaged 16 points a game as a junior and 20 points a game as a senior, all against top competition in the Big East Conference certainly proved his worth as a legit D-1 college star.

But the next step? The next level? A shot at the NBA would again prove a case of having to overcome the odds. The NBA draft was held in April of 2019, and the Strus family gathered together in anticipation of hearing Max's name called. There was some mention of the possibility.

But no. Nothing. Crickets. Strus was not drafted and would have to go the free agent route to follow his dream of playing in the NBA. Never one to be easily discouraged, and already proving so many wrong so many times along his basketball journey, Strus just figured it was one more hurdle, one more hoop to jump through, one more obstacle in his way (albeit a super tough one-making the NBA!)

Eventually, through the free agency route, Strus got a tryout with the Boston Celtics. Their young coach Brad Stevens saw something special in Strus and decided to give him a shot. He made the team, and surprising many (but not himself)-he even got some regular season playing time, very rare for an undrafted player.

The Celtic gig ended after a couple of years, and then a very brief stint with our very own Chicago Bulls followed, but that ended quickly as well. The NBA dream may be fading...but not before the Miami Heat came calling. They picked up Strus's contract and decided to give him a shot.

Good move. Strus not only made the team, but he also started to make an impact. Playing some in the 20-21 season he averaged 6 points for the Miami team and flashed a little bit of that potential that we see now.

But, It was last year, the 21-22 season, where Strus really started to shine, and people started to take notice. "People" like Heat fans and NBA opponents who suddenly recognized they had to account for this guy nobody really knew too much about.

There was definitely some "who is this guy" looks from other players and fans as Strus would start rattling the nets with regularity draining his patented 3-point shots.

That year he played in 68 games for the Heat, sometimes as a starter, and averaged 10 points a game, displaying his usual gritty defense, a "chip on the shoulder" competitive intensity, and of course, that jump shot. A thing of poetic beauty- especially from three-point range.

This year? Strus finally made it to the big stage and then some. No more "Who is this guy," he is now a full-time starter and a key component of the Heat team. He played in 80 games this season (rarely injured, so you can add durability to his positive ledger), and averaged 33 minutes a game while upping his scoring totals to 11 points per game.

Not too bad for a kid that nobody wanted coming out of high school.

Why print this story now?

Well, if you're a Bulls fan, you just witnessed your beloved Bulls getting eliminated from the playoffs courtesy of those Miami Heat. The surprise star that took them down? Yup, you guessed it. Good old number 31 from the Miami Heat, the same Chicago kid who used to root for the Bulls as a youngster.

Strus showed no respect for his beloved hometown, very rudely drilling 7 three-pointers to put a nail in the coffin for the Bulls season.

Total points in the game for the kid that nobody was interested in coming out of high school and who not one NBA team thought worthy of drafting back in 2019?

Same as his jersey number. 31. Ouch, and a dagger for the Bulls' playoff hopes.

So here he is now. Max Strus-certifiable NBA star. Chicago kid. DePaul product.

Still "flying under the radar?" Not so much anymore.