The buzz around Bennett Stirtz just keeps getting louder and now one of the NBA’s most intriguing young franchises may be preparing to make its move. With the 2026 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star is suddenly becoming one of the most talked-about guards in the country, and a new mock draft prediction has him heading to a playoff contender that could unlock his full potential immediately.
After a sensational one-year run in Iowa City, Stirtz has firmly planted himself in first-round conversations. The dynamic point guard didn’t just put up numbers during the 2025-26 season he transformed Iowa into a legitimate postseason threat and helped power the Hawkeyes all the way to the Elite Eight. In an era where consistency is rare, Stirtz delivered night after night, averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists while logging an eye-popping 37.8 minutes per game.
That workload alone tells part of the story. Iowa trusted him with everything. Late-game possessions, offensive creation, tempo control, perimeter shooting the offense constantly flowed through him, and he responded with the poise of a veteran floor general. NBA scouts took notice quickly, especially as he repeatedly delivered in high-pressure moments against elite competition.
Now, according to the latest mock draft from CBS Sports, Stirtz could be taking his talents north of the border. Veteran college basketball analyst Gary Parrish projects the talented guard to be selected by the Toronto Raptors with the No. 19 overall pick in the first round.
That projection is significant for several reasons.
First, Stirtz’s rise has been one of college basketball’s most remarkable stories. It’s incredibly rare for a player who began his college journey at the Division II level to climb all the way into projected first-round NBA status. Yet Stirtz has shattered expectations at every stage of his development. What started as an under-the-radar career has evolved into one of the most compelling draft stories of 2026.
Parrish believes the Raptors would be getting a player who is far more NBA-ready than some executives may realize.
“It’s rare for somebody to end up as a first-round pick after starting a college career at the Division II level, but Stirtz has a real chance to do it,” Parrish wrote in his latest mock draft. “Concerns about how he’ll be able to guard his position in the NBA are valid. But Stirtz is a lead guard with a good assist-to-turnover ratio and a reliable jumper. If I were running a franchise, I wouldn’t overthink this one. He can play.”
That final sentence may summarize Stirtz better than anything else: he can simply play.
While some prospects rely heavily on athletic upside or long-term projection, Stirtz’s appeal comes from his polished offensive game and steady decision-making. He doesn’t force reckless passes. He understands spacing. He knows how to manipulate defenses in pick-and-roll situations, and his confidence as a shooter forces defenders to stay attached to him well beyond the three-point line.
For Toronto, the fit actually makes a lot of sense.
The Raptors are coming off a competitive first-round playoff series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that went the full seven games. Despite the elimination, the series reinforced the belief that Toronto’s rebuild may be ahead of schedule. The franchise already has a cornerstone superstar in Scottie Barnes, while emerging young contributors like Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter continue to strengthen the roster.
However, one major question still hovers over the team’s future: the point guard position.
Immanuel Quickley has shown flashes of brilliance, but uncertainty surrounding his long-term future could force Toronto’s front office to explore other options. Drafting a steady, high-IQ lead guard like Stirtz could give the Raptors another reliable playmaker while also adding more offensive organization to a young roster still learning how to win consistently.
What makes Stirtz especially attractive is how quickly he could contribute.
Unlike some prospects who may require years of development, his game already feels tailored for a modern NBA rotation. He can shoot off the catch, create off the dribble, and operate efficiently without dominating the ball every possession. Coaches value guards who make smart reads and avoid costly mistakes, and Stirtz built his reputation at Iowa by doing exactly that.
His durability also stands out. Playing nearly 38 minutes per game in college basketball’s physically demanding landscape is no small feat. It demonstrated not only elite conditioning but also the trust Iowa’s coaching staff placed in him throughout the season.
And while critics may question his defensive upside against bigger or more explosive NBA guards, scouts continue to point toward his basketball IQ, effort level, and offensive consistency as reasons he could stick in the league for a long time.
The reality is that contenders are constantly searching for dependable rotational guards who can stabilize second units, knock down perimeter shots, and handle pressure situations without panicking. Stirtz checks many of those boxes already.
His rise has also injected fresh excitement into the Iowa basketball program. The Hawkeyes haven’t had many players recently generate this level of NBA draft momentum, and Stirtz’s success could become a major recruiting tool moving forward. Young guards around the country are watching closely as a player who once flew under the radar now inches closer to becoming a first-round NBA pick.
With the draft just weeks away, projections will continue shifting. Some teams could value Stirtz higher than expected, especially franchises looking for immediate contributors rather than long-term projects. Others may still hesitate because of questions surrounding athleticism or defensive versatility.
But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Bennett Stirtz has forced his way into the conversation, and NBA decision-makers are paying attention.
If Toronto truly becomes his landing spot, the Raptors may be getting one of the safest and smartest guards in the class a battle-tested playmaker whose journey from Division II basketball to potential first-round selection already feels like one of the best stories of the entire 2026 NBA Draft.
