After a stellar senior season for the Hawkeyes, it is only a question of when, not if, that we hear Bennett Stirtz's name called on draft night.
Before the NBA Draft Lottery, Stirtz was consistently projected to go in the mid-first round, inside the top 20 picks.
The early consensus is that he will go No. 19 overall to the Toronto Raptors, but with just over a month until the 2026 NBA Draft, a lot can change.
As we get closer to the Draft, Stirtz is doing everything he can to improve his draft stock, including participating in the Draft Combine.
Stirtz is one of 73 participants in the Combine and was impressing scouts during pre-combine training. A few days into the event, and Stirtz is already standing out.
Stirtz absolutely torched the nets during shooting drills
Stirtz's measurements didn't jump off the chart, standing at six-foot-two without shoes, with a six-foot-six wingspan, but everyone knows what he can do on the basketball court.
He led the Hawkeyes in scoring last season with 19.8 points, and he showed why those numbers are no fluke after putting on a shooting clinic during drills.
Bennett Stirtz scorched the nets with his shooting at the NBA combine. No. 1 in spot-up shooting, No. 3 in off the dribble and No. 2 in side-mid-side.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) May 12, 2026
Shooting translates. Nice day for him. https://t.co/4FXZYzeHDv
Stirtz showcased his elite shooting ability, ranking in the top three in three different drills, and excelling across all shooting drills.
He shot 20/25 during spot-up shooting drills (No. 1 overall), 21/27 during the side-mid-side drill (No. 2 overall), and 23/30 from off-the-dribble shooting (No. 3 overall)
Stirtz proved he can light it up from anywhere on the court, something he will need to do if he wants to carve out a role at the next level.
He is on the smaller side of NBA guards and needs to shoot at a high level to be successful. If his Combine performance is any indication, he is on the right track.
How Stirtz can carve out a role in the NBA
Scouts know what Stirtz can do, but are skeptical on what role he will play due to his size.
What scouts aren't confused about is his durability, his shooting, and his elite basketball IQ, and he can use all three to his advantage.
Stirtz is a master in the pick-and-roll, and if his shooting carries over, there is no doubt he will have a place on an NBA roster.
Toronto is a good fit for him thanks to his shooting, and even though they have two established backcourt options in RJ Barrett and Emmanuel Quickley, he has a chance to make an immediate impact up north.
The Pistons and the Hawks are also in the area where Stirtz is projected to be drafted, and they could both use guard help.
Detroit has Cade Cunningham, one of the best young guards in the league, but adding another pick-and-roll maestro and a solid passer would be highly beneficial.
Atlanta overperformed last season after shipping Trae Young to Washington, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum are both scoring-focused guards. They could easily use Stirtz's passing skills and defense at the lead guard spot.
There is not doubt Stirtz will be drafted, it's only a matter of when and where.
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