Combine Performance
Bennett Stirtz arrived at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine with a clear mission: to translate his college success into measurable NBA readiness.
In the spot‑up shooting drill he went 20‑for‑25, securing the top spot, while his 23‑for‑30 effort in shooting off the dribble tied him for third, showcasing a well‑rounded shooting arsenal.
He also posted a 16‑for‑25 performance in the three‑point star drill, tying for sixth, and a flawless 9‑for‑10 showing at the free‑throw line, tying for fifth, underscoring his reliability under pressure.
College Impact
Beyond the numbers, Stirtz helped Iowa capture the Elite Eight in his lone season, averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 47.7% overall and 35.8% from three‑point range.
Those stats placed him fourth in program history for single‑season scoring with 734 points and eighth in field goals made, cementing his legacy at Iowa.
Draft Outlook
Analysts have linked his shooting efficiency to the modern NBA’s emphasis on spacing, and The Athletic’s latest mock draft slots him at No. 26 to the Denver Nuggets, a fit that could bolster the team’s perimeter attack.
If the projection holds, Stirtz will join a Nuggets roster that already values versatile shooters, potentially adding a reliable floor‑spacer to a lineup already anchored by Nikola Jokić.
The combination of elite drill results, a deep college run and a strong statistical profile positions Stirtz as one of the more intriguing late‑first‑round prospects heading into the draft.