Bennett Stirtz has a chance to be the highest drafted Hawkeye player since former Iowa forward Keegan Murray was drafted No. 4 overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Stirtz was already generating NBA Draft buzz by the end of last season as he guided Drake to a 31-win season and helped the Bulldogs win the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season and conference tournament titles.
Stirtz was named the 2024 MVC Newcomer and Player of the Year after averaging 19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game last season.
Following his dynamic junior season, the scouts were raving about Stirtz's potential, and some even have him as a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Jon Chepkevich, the Director of Scouting for DraftExpress.com, recently visited Iowa City to get an up close and personal view of Stirtz, and gave him a glowing review.
Chepkevich called him a "lightning-quick processor with elite ball skills, feel, creativity, and vision." He also said Stirtz has a "steady unwavering approach."
Before the 2025-2026 college basketball season begins, Stirtz is earning more praise, this time from CBS Sports.
The @CBSSports annual list of the 100 And 1 best players in college basketball published today.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 28, 2025
38 seniors
31 juniors
15 freshmen
11 sophomores
6 grad students
30 of 'em are 2025 transfers.
This sport is going to be absolutely loaded. START THE SEASON:https://t.co/JhvnknAs6Q
CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, Kyle Boone, and Gary Parrish compiled their annual lost of the top 100 players in college basketball, and have Stirtz ranked in the top 15.
Stirtz checked in at No. 11 on their top 100 list, just behind senior point guard Milos Uzan (Houston), and just ahead of senior center Zuby Ejiofore (St. John's).
Stirtz has high expectations next season as the spotlight becomes even brighter in the Big Ten, but Stirtz is not shying away from it, and he is ready to put the conference on notice.