NBA Draft Buzz Intensifies as Iowa Star Bennett Stirtz Climbs First-Round Projections
Iowa’s newest basketball sensation is rapidly turning heads across the NBA, and with the 2026 NBA Draft approaching, Bennett Stirtz is finding himself at the center of one of college basketball’s most intriguing draft stories.
Just a few years ago, Iowa fans watched Keegan Murray become a top-five NBA Draft selection before his twin brother Kris Murray followed him into the first round a year later. Now, another Hawkeye star appears ready to continue that impressive tradition.
As NBA front offices finalize their draft boards and scouts complete their evaluations, Bennett Stirtz has emerged as a projected first-round pick in numerous 2026 NBA mock drafts. If those projections become reality later this month, Iowa will once again celebrate having one of its standout players hear his name called on basketball’s biggest draft stage.
The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23-24, and anticipation surrounding Stirtz’s future continues to grow with every passing day.
From Offensive Catalyst to NBA Prospect
Stirtz wasn’t simply productive during his final season in Iowa City. He was the driving force behind Iowa’s offense and one of the most dynamic guards in college basketball.
Throughout the season, the senior guard consistently delivered when the Hawkeyes needed him most. His combination of scoring ability, playmaking instincts and offensive creativity transformed him into one of the toughest matchups in the Big Ten.
By season’s end, the numbers painted a clear picture of his impact.
Stirtz averaged:
- 19.8 points per game
- 4.4 assists per game
- 2.6 rebounds per game
- 47.7% shooting from the field
- 35.8% shooting from three-point range
- 84.8% shooting from the free-throw line
Those statistics placed him among the conference’s most effective offensive players while also showcasing the versatility NBA teams covet in modern guards.
What made Stirtz particularly dangerous wasn’t just his scoring average. It was his ability to explode for huge performances against quality competition.
Three separate times during the season, he scored at least 32 points in a game. His most memorable scoring eruption came against Northwestern, where he poured in a career-high 36 points, demonstrating the type of offensive firepower that has NBA scouts intrigued.
Following in the Footsteps of Iowa’s First-Round Stars
Iowa basketball has developed a growing reputation for producing NBA-ready talent.
The benchmark was set by former Hawkeye star Keegan Murray, who became the fourth overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. His immediate impact at the professional level only enhanced Iowa’s credibility as a program capable of developing elite prospects.
One year later, Kris Murray carried the torch, hearing his name called with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Since then, Hawkeye fans have eagerly waited for the next player capable of breaking into the first round.
That wait may soon be over.
Stirtz’s rise up draft boards has positioned him as the leading candidate to become Iowa’s next NBA success story. His projected first-round status would give the Hawkeyes another major recruiting and developmental milestone while reinforcing the program’s ability to prepare players for the next level.
For a fan base that has watched several stars leave their mark on college basketball, seeing Stirtz potentially join the company of Keegan and Kris Murray would be another significant moment for the program.
Why NBA Teams Are Paying Attention
The modern NBA places enormous value on guards who can create offense, score efficiently and stretch defenses with perimeter shooting.
Stirtz checks many of those boxes.
At nearly 20 points per game, he proved capable of carrying an offense. His 4.4 assists per contest demonstrated that he can create opportunities for teammates rather than functioning strictly as a scorer.
His shooting percentages also stand out.
Converting 47.7% of his field-goal attempts while shooting nearly 36% from beyond the arc indicates offensive efficiency rather than empty volume scoring. Add an 84.8% mark from the free-throw line, and evaluators see a player whose shooting mechanics should translate well to the professional game.
Perhaps most importantly, Stirtz repeatedly showed the confidence to perform in pressure situations.
NBA scouts often evaluate how players respond when defenses focus entirely on stopping them. Throughout the season, opposing teams routinely designed game plans around slowing down Iowa’s star guard.
More often than not, Stirtz still found ways to produce.
That resilience has become one of the most appealing aspects of his draft profile.
Mock Draft Momentum Continues to Build
As draft season enters its final stretch, mock drafts across the basketball world continue to project Stirtz as a first-round selection.
While draft positions vary depending on the outlet and evaluator, the common theme remains consistent: NBA teams believe Stirtz possesses the skill set necessary to contribute at the next level.
Of course, mock drafts are constantly changing.
Strong pre-draft workouts, interviews and team evaluations can cause players to rise or fall in the weeks leading up to draft night. However, earning consistent first-round projections is a strong indicator of how highly a prospect is viewed throughout league circles.
For Stirtz, that momentum represents the culmination of years of development and one remarkable final collegiate season.
A Career-Defining Month Awaits
The weeks leading up to the NBA Draft are often filled with uncertainty.
Players participate in workouts, meet with executives and attempt to convince franchises they deserve a valuable first-round investment.
For Bennett Stirtz, the opportunity ahead is enormous.
A first-round selection would not only validate his outstanding senior campaign but also place him among an exclusive group of Iowa basketball players who successfully made the leap from Hawkeye stardom to NBA opportunity.
The spotlight will only intensify as June 23 approaches.
Every mock draft update, every scouting report and every team workout will be closely monitored by Iowa fans eager to see where their star guard lands.
One thing is already clear.
After averaging 19.8 points, delivering multiple 30-point performances and leading Iowa’s offense throughout the season, Bennett Stirtz has done enough to force NBA decision-makers to take notice.
Now, with draft night fast approaching, the former Hawkeye standout stands on the verge of turning a memorable college career into a professional basketball dream.
If current projections hold true, Iowa basketball may soon celebrate its first NBA Draft selection since 2023 and another first-round talent ready to represent the Hawkeyes on basketball’s biggest stage.
