Even though they couldn't get him the right hat, Bennett Stirtz is going to look very good in blue and orange with the Oklahoma City Thunder next season.
The Thunder executed a draft-night trade with the Memphis Grizzlies minutes before Stirtz was drafted, and he admitted that he knew before the Grizzlies selected him with the No. 16 overall pick. It is a clear case of the rich getting richer, as OKC now has a wealth of young options at its disposal next season. Stirtz joins a crowded backcourt that features star guard and back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he is ready to do whatever the organization needs.
Stirtz is ready to put his head down and get to work
Fewer basketball players at any level work as hard as Stirtz, as demonstrated by his ironman mentality on the court. Stirtz averaged 38 minutes per game last season for the Hawkeyes, and he easily would've averaged all 40 if it weren't for some foul trouble and a few blowouts. Even though Stirtz was a mid-first-round NBA Draft pick, his work ethic isn't going to change.
Bennett Stirtz on what he hopes to accomplish on Thunder: "I think it starts with creating relationships and knowing what the team needs out of me. Making it clear, talking to Coach Daigneault, talking to Sam and seeing what they want from me and just being myself out there. I'm…
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 24, 2026
Stirtz is saying and doing all the right things before he officially steps on an NBA court, and is proving the OKC Thunder got a great one. After the draft, Stirtz was asked about what he wants to accomplish with the Thunder, and he gave a simple but solid answer. He stated that he wants to build relationships with everyone in the organization, and he will keep his head down and keep working.
Stirtz also stated that he knows what he is capable of, and even though there will be ups and downs, he will do whatever they need him to do. Everyone who watched him last season knows what he can do on both ends of the court, and he is ready to prove that during his rookie season with the Thunder.
He is a versatile player who can fill it up on offense and put the clamps on whoever he is guarding, but his biggest asset is his scoring ability. Stirtz lit up the NBA Draft Combine with his shooting, and he opened a lot of eyes with his pre-draft performance. He isn't overly athletic, but he is extremely smart with a high basketball IQ, and the Thunder just added even more firepower to an already stacked roster.
Stirtz will fit in seamlessly with the Thunder organization, and regardless of his role, he will make an impact in year one.
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