Bennett Stirtz never imagined that a quiet childhood in the Kansas City suburbs would lead him to the bright lights of the NBA draft.
Coming out of a high school where he was ranked 261st nationally in the class of 2025, Stirtz had no Division I scholarship offers, a fact that seemed to seal his fate in Division II.
Yet the calm demeanor that would later define his pre‑draft interviews was on full display after Iowa’s upset victory over Florida in the NCAA Tournament, a moment that caught the eye of several NBA franchises.
The Stirtz family, including brothers Caden and Cooper, traveled to New York for the draft process, leaning on their unwavering support as he worked out with the Chicago Bulls, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors.
The Draft Night Twist
When the Memphis Grizzlies called his name, a pre‑arranged trade sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a move that was confirmed moments before the pick was announced.
Stirtz’s draft suit bore the logos of Liberty High School, Northwest Missouri State, Drake and Iowa, a visual timeline of his unconventional journey.
Coach Ben McCollum, who once penned a handwritten letter to recruit him to Northwest Missouri State, followed Stirtz from that small college to Drake and finally to the University of Iowa, underscoring a rare continuity in his development.
Beyond the court, Stirtz’s calm temperament and family backing have become a quiet narrative of perseverance, a story that resonates with fans watching the draft unfold in real time.