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Liberty, Missouri native Bennett Stirtz is now in the big leagues after being selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The former Iowa Hawkeye was picked No. 16 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies on June 23, just shy of the NBA lottery. Stirtz was then immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 17 pick and two second-round picks.
"It's a crazy whirlwind, just with the trade and everything, but super excited to get going," Stirtz told the media. "I think the fit couldn't be better. Organization, just the people around it, nothing but good people."
Stirtz was the Thunder's second selection of the evening following Aday Mara at No. 12.
Stirtz played basketball for Liberty High School before beginning his college career at Division II Northwest Missouri State University. He transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, two years later, following his coach's departure, where he earned Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors.
More: Why Iowa's Bennett Stirtz is 'perfect fit' for Oklahoma City Thunder
He then transferred to the University of Iowa for his final season, emerging as one of the nation's top guards and helping lead the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance in nearly forty years.
The 6-foot-4 point guard averaged 19.84 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.41 assists as a senior during the 2025-26 regular season.
His collegiate basketball accolades include:
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bennett Stirtz, a Missouri native, drafted No. 16 in 2026 NBA Draft
Continue reading...
The former Iowa Hawkeye was picked No. 16 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies on June 23, just shy of the NBA lottery. Stirtz was then immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 17 pick and two second-round picks.
"It's a crazy whirlwind, just with the trade and everything, but super excited to get going," Stirtz told the media. "I think the fit couldn't be better. Organization, just the people around it, nothing but good people."
Stirtz was the Thunder's second selection of the evening following Aday Mara at No. 12.
Who is Bennett Stirtz?
Stirtz played basketball for Liberty High School before beginning his college career at Division II Northwest Missouri State University. He transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, two years later, following his coach's departure, where he earned Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors.
More: Why Iowa's Bennett Stirtz is 'perfect fit' for Oklahoma City Thunder
He then transferred to the University of Iowa for his final season, emerging as one of the nation's top guards and helping lead the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance in nearly forty years.
Bennett Stirtz stats
The 6-foot-4 point guard averaged 19.84 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.41 assists as a senior during the 2025-26 regular season.
His collegiate basketball accolades include:
- First-team All-Big Ten (2026)
- MVC Player of the Year (2025)
- First-team All-MVC (2025)
- MVC Newcomer of the Year (2025)
- MVC tournament MVP (2025)
- 2× Second-team All-MIAA (2023, 2024)
- MIAA Freshman of the Year (2023)
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bennett Stirtz, a Missouri native, drafted No. 16 in 2026 NBA Draft
Continue reading...
