2026 NBA Draft Profile

Overview
Bennett Stirtz’s unique journey from DII star to NBA prospect began at Northwest Missouri State, where he was a two-time Second Team All-MIAA honoree, including 2023 MIAA Freshman of the Year. After two years, he transferred to Drake, where he won MVC Player of the Year, MVC Newcomer of the Year and MVC Tournament MVP. Stirtz finished his career at Iowa, where he earned First Team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention All-American recognition after averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals on 48/36/86 shooting splits. Stirtz played all 40 minutes in each of Iowa’s four NCAA Tournament games, as the nine-seeded Hawkeyes made a surprise run to the Elite Eight. 

Analysis
Stirtz was a veteran floor general in college, showcasing exceptional pace and an advanced feel for reading defenses. He can knock it down from anywhere on the court, but whether he can finish at the rim against NBA-level defenders remains a major question mark. Stirtz is at his best when the ball is in his hands, and he’s able to dictate what happens next, but he’s also capable of playing off the ball, which should help him find a role at the next level. With exceptional basketball instincts, Stirtz played passing lanes well against lesser competition, but to stick in a pro rotation, he’ll need to improve on the defensive end.

Projection
Given the lack of superstar upside, Stirtz will likely fall out of the lottery, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a 10-year NBA veteran. Payton Pritchard, Collin Gillespie and Ty Jerome are all great examples of players who spent multiple years in college and needed time to adjust to the pros before carving out elite sixth man roles. Stirtz could have a similar career trajectory, but in terms of actual play style and size, Jerome is the most accurate comparison from that trio. They’re both taller guards who can play on- or off-ball roles and excel, thanks in large part to stellar shooting. 

Career Highlights

• Two-time All-America Honorable Mention selection by AP and USBWA (2024-25, 2025-26).
• 2025-26 All-Big Ten First Team choice by media; Second Team by coaches and AP.
• 2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year at Drake.
• Only NCAA Division I player with 600+ points, 200+ assists and 70+ steals in 2024-25.

Senior (2025-26)

• Helped lead Iowa to its first NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance in 39 years.
• Became the first player in Iowa history with 700+ points, 100+ assists and 50+ steals in a season.
• Finished eighth nationally in total points (734).
• Ranked third in scoring average in Big Ten play (22.2 ppg).
• Set a program record for minutes (1,396) and ranked fifth nationally in minutes per game (37.3).

Strengths

• High-IQ lead guard with advanced playmaking feel.
• Polished shooter with deep range and steady pull-up game.
• Crafty scorer; uses timing, touch and angles vs. defenses.
• Reliable connector who consistently makes the right reads.

Personal

• Did not receive any Division I scholarship offers.
• Coached in high school by his father, Roger.
• Roger is an avid cyclist; his mother, Renee, ran cross country at Kansas State.
• Developed iron-man conditioning in part from family hikes.

Go Figure
Stirtz led the nation with 39.4 minutes per game as a junior at Drake in 2024-25.

Quotable
“He plays with so much poise and confidence. He never gets sped up on the offensive end.”
— Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg

— Profile by RotoWire.com with additional info from the official NBA Draft Media Guide