NBA standout Max Strus signs a shoe for one of the players at his camp at Stagg High School. Photo by Jeff Vorva
‘Every year just keeps getting better’: Max Strus holds annual youth camp at Stagg
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Things have changed a lot since Max Strus held his inaugural basketball camp last summer.
During that camp, he was a starting guard for the Miami Heat, which had just come off an Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Boston Celtics.
This summer’s camp ran July 17-20 at Stagg — where Strus starred during his high school years — but he came in as a Cleveland Cavalier after having inked a sign-and-trade deal with Miami for four years worth $63 million. He came off a season with the Heat that barely eked and squeaked its way into the playoffs, then made a run to the NBA Finals before losing to the Denver Nuggets in five games.
“It feels like every year just keeps getting better,” Strus said during a break between camp sessions. “This year was awesome. It was unbelievable playing in the Finals. It stunk to come up short but I’m super happy and grateful for the experience. And I’m ready to be in Cleveland now.”
Strus had some high and low points in the postseason. He scored 31 points and hit an NBA play-in-game record seven 3-pointers to help the Heat beat the Chicago Bulls to grab the eighth seed in the East; but also endured a few scoreless games in the Finals. He netted 14 points in the Heat’s lone win against the Nuggets.
He pointed out it was much more intense to play in an NBA Finals than the conference finals.
“At that time of the year, everyone knows your strengths and weaknesses and they try to put your weaknesses out on the table, and you just have to overcome it,” he said. “They were a good team and they ended up getting the best of us.
“It was a fun experience and something I’ll always remember, and hopefully I can get back there one day.”
The weeks leading up to the postseason were tense, with Miami being at risk of failing to even make the playoffs. The Heat had just one goal after a mediocre regular season — just get in the tournament.
“All we wanted was a chance,” Strus said. “We didn’t care where we were ranked or where we finished. We just wanted to be in the playoffs.
“It took us awhile to get there but once we got in the playoffs, we knew that with the talent we had on our team and our overall togetherness as a team we could outlast a lot of teams.”
Individually, Strus had personal bests during the regular season in games played (80), points (11.5), rebounds (3.2) and assists (2.1), and he continues to be a threat beyond the 3-point arc. Although his 3-point percentage dipped from 41 percent in 2021-22 to 35 percent this past season, he buried a career- high 197 treys in 2022-2023.
It all added up to a big payday, something he is still blown away by.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Strus said. “It hasn’t hit me yet. I haven’t gotten a dollar of it yet. I won’t get a dollar until November.
“Over the past couple of years, I’ve been trying to put myself in a position to get this. Everything happens for a reason, and I worked hard to get it. I’m grateful and happy that it’s Cleveland and I’m ready for that opportunity.”
Strus has come a long way since the 2019-20 season, when the former Lewis and DePaul star was on the bottom rung of the NBA hierarchy. That season, he played two games with the Chicago Bulls and suffered a torn ACL on Dec. 21.
He vowed to come back and he did — stronger than ever.
Speaking of coming back, the Hickory Hills native said he loves coming back home for the camp in his name. For the second year in a row, he brought former Heat teammate Gabe Vincent to help coach.
Some of the other coaches include former Marist and Lindenwood College stars Julia and Kate Ruzevich, former Stagg coach John Daniels, current Stagg coach and older brother Marty Strus, and former St. Rita standout Morez Johnson, who will be a senior at Thornton and has made a verbal commitment to Illinois. Johnson remembers attending camps hosted by Jabari Parker, who played in the NBA from 2014-2022.
Proceeds from the camp, which was opened to grade school boys and girls, benefit the Weish4Ever Foundation, which helps families affected by cancer.
“This is something I’m looking forward to every year,” Strus said of the camp. “I’ve been waiting for this day. It’s great to be back at home and being in the community and sharing my knowledge and love of the game with the kids.
“They make it enjoyable. I have more fun than they do being here. It’s awesome to be able to share that with them.”
2 Comments
Local News
Chicago sports stadium drama heats up
Spread the love. By Rich Miller . More sports team stadium drama could be on the horizon as the Chicago White Sox are said, as of this writing, to be preparing to announce a significant private investment in a new South Loop ballpark. The ballclub has already demanded a share of the Illinois Sports Facilities…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Obituaries April 25, 2024
Spread the loveJOSEPH C. BURDA Joseph C. Burda, age 81, passed away March 28. Loving father of Amy Burda and Joseph Burda; dearest grandfather of Ryan Wenk and Lillianah Burda; cherished son of the late Mary (nee Breyer) and the late Joseph M. Burda; dear brother of Joan (Dan) Gale and Anna Hovey. Also survived…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Neighbors
Immigrant advocates tout new report showing benefits of state-funded health plans
By PETER HANCOCK and JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Immigrant rights advocates on Friday continued to push for one of their top budget priorities: full funding for state-run health care programs that benefit noncitizens, regardless of their immigration status. Those programs offer health coverage for low-income individuals who would otherwise qualify for…
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge
By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers. The Bears…
Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. Notaries…
[…] Source link […]
[…] Source link […]