Bennett Stirtz is giving Thunder fans every reason to be excited after a dynamic debut

Former Iowa star Bennett Stirtz picked up right where he left off in his first official NBA game.

After the Memphis Grizzlies selected Stirtz No. 16 overall and promptly traded him to Oklahoma City, Stirtz became Iowa's third first-round pick in the last five years and the highest recent draft pick since Keegan Murray went No. 4 overall in 2022. Even though he fell just short of being a lottery pick, Stirtz still has plenty to prove in his first season.

Thunder GM Sam Presti acquired him for a reason, and he showed why in his first Summer League game.

Stirtz showed out in his NBA Summer League debut in Salt Lake City

In his first NBA action, Stirtz matched up against Memphis, which traded him on draft night. The Thunder ultimately lost 111-74, but Stirtz played extremely well in the starting lineup with four fellow rookies from the 2026 NBA Draft class.

Stirtz finished his debut on America's 250th birthday with 10 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 67 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He also added four assists, three rebounds, and three steals in a solid all-around performance. It was also great to see former Hawkeye Josh Dix (5 points) in the starting lineup, and another former Hawkeye, Payton Sandfort, lead the team in scoring (13).

Unfortunately for Sandfort, he is fighting for a spot either on the roster or on the Thunder's G League roster after the organization recently waived him before the start of Summer League action.

In his first official NBA action, Stirtz matched No. 12 overall draft pick Aday Mara in scoring with 10 and proved why he has the reputation of being a solid floor general with a high basketball IQ. The NBA's draft analysis of Stirtz stated that he is a crafty scorer who uses timing, touch, and angles to keep defenses guessing, and likened him to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome. He proved a lot of those skills over the weekend and will only continue to get better with more reps.

Stirtz's debut is only a taste of what he can do

Even though he was only a member of the Iowa men's basketball program for one season, Hawkeye fans got an in-depth look at why he is such a talented player. He might not have the explosive athleticism of some guards, but he plays like a veteran floor general who can play on or off the ball with his elite shooting. If he is given the keys to an offense, he can run it like a well-oiled machine, and he will prove Presti right for trading up to select him.

Oklahoma City has the potential to have two draft steals in Mara and Stirtz, and continues to prove why the organization is one of the best in the NBA at drafting prospects that can immediately help. Both rookies will have to fight for playing time with established veterans in front of them on the depth chart, including MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein, but both have the potential and drive to carve out a role in their first year.

Stirtz's biggest assets are his shooting and durability, something every NBA team needs, and they will serve him well at the next level. It remains to be seen what role he will have as a rookie, but he was drafted in the first round for a reason and must keep pushing forward to earn a role. The Thunder's next Summer League game is Monday, July 6, at 6 p.m. Central Time, broadcasting on ESPN and Prime Video.

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