With just over a month until the 2026 NBA Draft, mock drafts are running rampant as everyone tries to figure out where the top college stars will land.
For the first time in a couple of years, the Iowa basketball program has a guy who is firmly in first-round pick conversations. Point guard Bennett Stirtz excelled in his lone season as a Hawkeye, propelling his draft stock forward as he led Iowa to the Elite Eight. He averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game last season, while playing an absurd 37.8 minutes a night.
Stirtz’s ability to be a playmaker and knock down shots has NBA scouts salivating about his potential. He seems to be near a lock to hear his name called in the first round. The only question is how early.
CBS Sports took a stab at guessing that in their latest mock draft. Writer Gary Parrish has Stirtz landing north of the border, with the Toronto Raptors snagging him at the 19th pick. Here’s what he had to say about it.
“It’s rare for somebody to end up as a first-round pick after starting a college career at the Division II level, but Stirtz has a real chance to do it. Concerns about how he’ll be able to guard his position in the NBA are valid. But Stirtz is a lead guard with a good assist-to-turnover ratio and a reliable jumper. If I were running a franchise, I wouldn’t overthink this one. He can play.” -Gary Parrish, CBS Sports
Stirtz would fit in seamlessly in Toronto. The Raptors lost in seven games to Cleveland in their first-round playoff series this year, but are a young team on the rise. Scottie Barnes has established himself as a superstar, with other pieces like Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter emerging as well. With the current starting point guard, Immanuel Quickley’s future up in the air, taking Stirtz would be a smart choice for the franchise.
Stirtz may not have the upside of other guards in this class. His consistency is what will get him drafted and have him hanging around the league for a while. Regardless of where he ends up, Stirtz will have a chance to make an impact right away.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Latest NBA mock draft sees Bennett Stirtz land with rising contender