A Legacy in the Making
Bennett Stirtz, the Iowa forward who dominated the 2025‑26 college season, has earned an invitation to the 2026 NBA Draft, setting the stage for what many expect to be a first‑round selection.
During his senior year he posted averages of 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game, shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.8% beyond the arc and 84.8% at the free‑throw line. He erupted for 32 points on three separate occasions, topping out with a career‑high 36 against Northwestern.
Under the guidance of head coach Ben McCollum, Stirtz helped usher in a new era for Iowa men’s basketball, a program that celebrated its first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. The run was highlighted by the Murray twins, Keegan and Kris, who had previously put two consecutive Hawkeyes into the first round of the draft.
Stirtz has spoken openly about the team’s challenges and triumphs, emphasizing that perseverance and teamwork were the cornerstones of their success. “We fought through adversity, leaned on each other, and kept pushing forward,” he said in a recent interview.
The draft itself will unfold in Brooklyn on June 23‑24, where the excitement of a hometown crowd will mingle with the anticipation of a player who grew up watching the Hawkeyes’ rise. As the night approaches, analysts are already projecting where Stirtz will land, but the forward remains focused on the process rather than the outcome.