The success of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ men’s college basketball season could very well go through the play of incoming transfer guard Bennett Stirtz. Following new head coach Ben McCollum from Drake, Stirtz will have his chance to prove himself in one of the best conferences in the country when he takes on the Big Ten.
Already viewed as one of the best transfer portal pieces of the offseason to make a move, Stirtz is also primed for a big year to find himself skyrocketing up NBA draft boards if he can deliver a big year for the Hawkeyes.
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With the NBA draft barely in our rearview mirrors, attention has already turned to digging into the top 2026 prospects, a list Stirtz has landed on. He is one of CBS Sports’ top 10 draft prospects set up to raise their NBA draft stock.
Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
Stirtz followed his coach, Ben McCollum, from Northwest Missouri State to Drake and then from Drake to Iowa. The Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year had a breakout season in his first year playing Division I basketball and gets a chance to showcase his skills at the high-major level.
McCollum is considered one of the rising stars in the coaching ranks, and Stirtz is poised for a big year. He’s a knockdown shooter from outside and can score in a variety of ways. – Cameron Salerno, CBS Sports
Stirtz will face some growing pains and an adjustment to the Big Ten after starting his career outside of the FBS ranks and then one year in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Fortunately, Stirtz has experience taking on the best of the best in power conferences. While a member of the Drake Bulldogs, Stirtz had the chance to take on Miami, Vanderbilt, Kansas State, Missouri, and Texas Tech. Stirtz put up 21 points against each Miami, Missouri, and Texas Tech.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball guard Bennett Stirtz primed to climb NBA draft boards
