Bennett Stirtz, Iowa - 2026 NBA Draft - The edge of the lottery

Caneman786 · Post #1 » by **Caneman786** » Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:04 am

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Bennett Stirtz is a senior at the University of Iowa who is the starting point guard for the men's basketball team.

His collegiate career just ended in a loss to the 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini, who came back against the 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament. The final score was 59-71. The Hawkeyes ended their season with a record of 24-13.

The Hawkeyes were the biggest cinderella story of the tournament so far, after upsetting the 1 seed Florida Gators by 1 point in the round of 32 and coming back against the 4 seed Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Sweet Sixteen. Their methodical slow-paced offense, led by Stirtz and coach Ben McCollum, worked like a machine as they generated good three-point shot attempts, and their disciplined defense suppressed opponents, especially from beyond the arc. Stirtz and McCollum have been working together since Stirtz was a D2 player at Northwest Missouri State, and they went farther than anyone could have imagined.

In the final game of the season, Iowa took an early lead, going up 10. However, the big, bruising Illinois team crushed Iowa on the glass 38-21, and the Hawkeyes sputtered out in the second half, keeping it close until the final minutes of the game. Stirtz scored 24 points, had 3 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists. His true shooting percentage in the game was 63.5%. He played every minute of the game except a few seconds near the end of the first half.

During the season, Stirtz played in all 37 of Iowa's games. The idiosyncratic coach McCollum also has given rein for Stirtz to play every minute of every game. Stirtz doesn't complain, saying that he is young, and he doesn't seem to get tired. He is well-conditioned. He averaged 37.8 minutes per game in the season. His season averages for the basic stats were 19.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists (1.8 turnovers), 1.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game.

He is an efficient scorer, making 59.1% of his two-point shots, 35.8% of his three-point shots, and 84.8% of his free throws. 48.9% of his shots came from beyond the arc in the season, and his free throw rate was .314. This made his true shooting percentage 60.7%.

Stirtz is from Liberty, Missouri (which is a suburb of Kansas City). He has a listed height of 6' 4", and has a listed weight of 190 pounds. He has been seen as a fringe lottery pick since before the college basketball season began. He struggled a little bit early in the season, but as it progressed, improved his stock.

The poll runs for the next 30 days.

Ranking History:
Not in the top 10 on August 30
Ranked #14 on November 2
Ranked #23 on January 5
Ranked #12 on January 17
Ranked #14 on February 21
Ranked #15 on February 27
Ranked #13 on March 18
Ranked #13 on March 26

RookieStar · Post #2 » by **RookieStar** » Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:55 am

A 6'4 190lb PG is a great choice for a backup PG. Especially with his shooting touch. Only if it translates to the league though.

We need a real PG backup-wise and we need this guy..

I hope he is available in the 2nd round but i doubt it

Upperclass · Post #3 » by **Upperclass** » Sun Mar 29, 2026 3:17 am

He would only work for a team like the Warriors or whomever is similar, maybe the Heat. He isnt a bring it up PG but he would be a good ball mover and corner spot up guy. Otherwise, he isnt an NBA player

BigGargamel · Post #4 » by **BigGargamel** » Sun Mar 29, 2026 5:38 pm

Upperclass wrote:He would only work for a team like the Warriors or whomever is similar, maybe the Heat. He isnt a bring it up PG but he would be a good ball mover and corner spot up guy. Otherwise, he isnt an NBA player

I think his point guard skills are extremely underrated. I wouldn't pidgeon-hole him into a strictly shooter role.

I don't know about starter, but he should be a long time backup. The type of steady guy who can shoot and doesn't make mistakes that could lead a second unit.

TheSuzerain · Post #5 » by **TheSuzerain** » Sun Mar 29, 2026 11:35 pm

Upperclass wrote:He would only work for a team like the Warriors or whomever is similar, maybe the Heat. He isnt a bring it up PG but he would be a good ball mover and corner spot up guy. Otherwise, he isnt an NBA player

Way off

Upperclass · Post #6 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 12:54 am

TheSuzerain wrote:
Upperclass wrote:He would only work for a team like the Warriors or whomever is similar, maybe the Heat. He isnt a bring it up PG but he would be a good ball mover and corner spot up guy. Otherwise, he isnt an NBA player

Way off

Guess we'll see

JMAC3 · Post #7 » by **JMAC3** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 6:14 pm

If he goes like 20th or 21st or even 28th where the expectation is that he is a backup pg for Toronto, Detroit or Minny right away and he can knock down some open shots and average 7-10 pts per game the first 2-3 years and win in that role that will be a strong case for a good pick.

but if he gets overdrafted to a Bucks at 10 or Heat at 14 and is sold as the new starting point guard then it probably goes terribly for him.

Where that means you put him on your big board- idk because expectations matter a lot for him imo.

Klomp · Post #8 » by **Klomp** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 8:13 pm

I hate the "he isn't an NBA player" kind of takes...

He reads like an extremely safe draft pick for a playoff team. Does he have superstar potential? Most likely not, but I believe he can have a very long career as a role player off the bench and potentially a low-end starting guard.

BlazersBroncos · Post #9 » by **BlazersBroncos** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 8:31 pm

Klomp wrote:I hate the "he isn't an NBA player" kind of takes...

He reads like an extremely safe draft pick for a playoff team. Does he have superstar potential? Most likely not, but I believe he can have a very long career as a role player off the bench and potentially a low-end starting guard.

Yep. He sorta is a Cam Spencer mixed with some DDV level guy with a bit better playmaking. And given the production Spencer has shown in the big leagues thats a guy you start thinking about around the late teens.

Upperclass · Post #10 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 9:57 pm

Klomp wrote:I hate the "he isn't an NBA player" kind of takes...

He reads like an extremely safe draft pick for a playoff team. Does he have superstar potential? Most likely not, but I believe he can have a very long career as a role player off the bench and potentially a low-end starting guard.

Have you looked back at each draft to see how many players become contributing "NBA players"?

Klomp · Post #11 » by **Klomp** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 10:20 pm

Upperclass wrote:
Klomp wrote:I hate the "he isn't an NBA player" kind of takes...

He reads like an extremely safe draft pick for a playoff team. Does he have superstar potential? Most likely not, but I believe he can have a very long career as a role player off the bench and potentially a low-end starting guard.

Have you looked back at each draft to see how many players become contributing "NBA players"?

Yes, and I also looked back on this subforum to find this post from you: :-?

There's no way I could be comfortable taking Doncic over Ayton, Bagley or Jaren Jackson Jr.

There are so many unknowns when it comes to draft scouting that I think completely writing off players can be foolish, even on the off-chance that you might be right. I've had my share of misses too, don't worry.

Upperclass · Post #12 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Mar 30, 2026 11:10 pm

Klomp wrote:
Upperclass wrote:
Klomp wrote:I hate the "he isn't an NBA player" kind of takes...

He reads like an extremely safe draft pick for a playoff team. Does he have superstar potential? Most likely not, but I believe he can have a very long career as a role player off the bench and potentially a low-end starting guard.

Have you looked back at each draft to see how many players become contributing "NBA players"?

Yes, and I also looked back on this subforum to find this post from you:

There's no way I could be comfortable taking Doncic over Ayton, Bagley or Jaren Jackson Jr.

There are so many unknowns when it comes to draft scouting that I think completely writing off players can be foolish, even on the off-chance that you might be right. I've had my share of misses too, don't worry.

That was true though.. as an NBA GM, unfortunately you couldnt take Luka over Ayton who projected to be a 7'1, 7'6 wingspan, jumpshooting, shot blocking center. Bagley who looked like a double-double machine or Jackson Jr. who also looked like a modern stretch big with playmaking ability. Would I have wanted to take him #1 yes.. see below.. but there is a history of Euro players taken in the top 5 who absolutely stunk along with alot of hyped Euro guards who came over that also didnt work out i.e. Rudy Fernandez or mediocrely.. a Ricky Rubio. And Phoenix had just drafted Dragan Bender top 5 a few years before who did absolutely nothing. So its not always about projecting the players correctly its about some teams not being the right fit(ATL took him 3rd and traded him because of a perceived bad fit) and some teams being so bad they cant take homerun swings ala Luka.. Giannis etc.

viewtopic.php?p=53115244#p53115244
"Wed Mar 1, 2017 5:53 am
He looks an awful lot like James Harden to me. I like his game alot. Unless he's hidden on opposing small forwards or small power forwards.. he will likely be an extremely challenged defender. But imo, he's an NBA point guard all day. Even at his size. His wingspan is likely relative to his height or even shorter. But he seems to possess good functional core strength that a guy like deangelo russell.. lacks."

viewtopic.php?p=53123041#p53123041
"Wed Mar 1, 2017 4:29 pm
^^ It's very early.. but I dont think there is even a chance he falls out of the top 5. Philly in particular would be a great fit for him with that Lakers pick that wont be rendered this year."

viewtopic.php?p=53131999#p53131999
"Wed Mar 1, 2017 9:42 pm
Of course Harden is more athletic. Most American hoopers are more athletic than their European contemporaries. However, the way they play the game is very similar aside from James Garden's penchant for flopping.

Doncic's drive and kick game, the way he sets the defense up for passes to cutting teammates, the quick pullups threes off of the triple threat, the way he takes contact and hangs in the air, the footwork and step backs and even the crossovers are very similar. It's all much slower, but through my eyes.. very similar.

I draw conclusions based on what I see and I see this comparison is apt and I think he has room to become more athletic as well when he begins to play in a quicker system as to what's played in America."

viewtopic.php?p=53134996#p53134996
"Wed Mar 1, 2017 11:58 pm
He definitely finishes through contact, hangs in the air against taller/longer opponents and seems to pull up from anywhere that he sees an opportunity. His game is similar imo to rookie year/6th man James Harden."

iye6ry4e7r3 · Post #13 » by **iye6ry4e7r3** » Wed Apr 1, 2026 1:53 pm

He’s probably worth a late FRP.

moss_is_1 · Post #14 » by **moss_is_1** » Fri Apr 3, 2026 4:09 pm

BlazersBroncos wrote:
Klomp wrote:I hate the "he isn't an NBA player" kind of takes...

He reads like an extremely safe draft pick for a playoff team. Does he have superstar potential? Most likely not, but I believe he can have a very long career as a role player off the bench and potentially a low-end starting guard.

Yep. He sorta is a Cam Spencer mixed with some DDV level guy with a bit better playmaking. And given the production Spencer has shown in the big leagues thats a guy you start thinking about around the late teens.

Basically how I see him also. He has very good size, good shooter, good passer, smart on both ends, and is a pretty solid defender that will try. Also in very good shape(usually plays all 40 minutes). Watching him against Nebraska he would take it upon himself to cover Sandfort through all the screens and did a nice job.

Mid-late 1st round pick, could see him getting bumped down because of the abundance of PG's in this draft, as well as him being an older prospect. Allowing him to play off the ball as well as on the ball would be smart. Toronto at 18 seems like a good start to his range.