Bennett Stirtz
Stirtz in 2026
No. 14 – Oklahoma City Thunder
Position Point guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2003-10-03) October 3, 2003 (age 22)
Liberty, Missouri, U.S.
Listed height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school Liberty (Liberty, Missouri)
College
  • Northwest Missouri State (2022–2024)
  • Drake (2024–2025)
  • Iowa (2025–2026)
NBA draft 2026: 1st round, 16th overall pick
Drafted by Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career 2026–present
Career history
2026–present Oklahoma City Thunder
Career highlights
  • MVC Player of the Year (2025)
  • MVC Newcomer of the Year (2025)
  • First-team All-MVC (2025)
  • First-team All-Big Ten (2026)
  • MVC tournament MVP (2025)
  • 2× Second-team All-MIAA (2023, 2024)
  • MIAA Freshman of the Year (2023)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Bennett Carl Stirtz (born October 3, 2003) is an American basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, Drake Bulldogs, and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Early life and high school

Stirtz grew up in Liberty, Missouri and attended Liberty High School.[1] He played basketball at Liberty and was coached by his father.[2] Stirtz was named first-team All-State as a senior after averaging 18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.[3]

College career

Stirtz began his college career at Northwest Missouri State.[4] He was named the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Freshman of the Year and second-team All-MIAA in his first season with the Bearcats.[5] Stirtz repeated as a second-team All-MIAA selection as a sophomore after averaging 15.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.[6]

Stirtz transferred to Drake after his sophomore season, following former Northwest Missouri head coach Ben McCollum.[7] He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year and the conference Newcomer of the Year at the end of the regular season.[8]

After one season at Drake, Stirtz announced he would be entering the transfer portal and following McCollum to the University of Iowa.[9]

Personal life

Stirtz is the son of Roger and Renee Stirtz. He has three siblings: Mason, Caden and Cooper.[10]

Stirtz is a Christian. He has said, “Win or lose, give glory to God. He gave me a platform and I just want to use it for Him.“[11]

References

  1. ^ "Bennett Stirtz, a lifelong Kansas State fan, all about Drake basketball in upcoming game". The Des Moines Register. December 11, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  2. ^ Nelson, McKenzie (January 5, 2022). "Dynamic father-son duo lead Liberty Blue Jays to victory". KSHB.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  3. ^ "Kansas City's DiRenna Awards finalists high school hoops". The Kansas City Star. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  4. ^ Moore, CJ (January 2, 2025). "Can a team led by Division II transfers become college hoops' most dangerous mid-major?". The Athletic. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  5. ^ Green, PJ (March 6, 2023). "Liberty alum Bennett Stirtz leads NW Missouri State to MIAA tournament title". FOX4KC.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Kennedy, Brett (April 16, 2024). "Northwest Missouri State's Bennett Stirtz, Isaiah Jackson and Daniel Abreu transferring to Drake". KQ2.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  7. ^ "Three Northwest Missouri State basketball players follow Ben McCollum to Drake". The Des Moines Register. April 16, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  8. ^ "Drake's Bennett Stirtz wins Missouri Valley Player of the Year, Ben McCollum wins Coach of Year". The Des Moines Register. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  9. ^ "Drake's Bennett Stirtz on decision to transfer to Iowa basketball: 'Glad to be a Hawkeye'". The Des Moines Register. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  10. ^ "BENNETT STIRTZ". hawkeyesports.com. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
  11. ^ Ackerman, Jon. "Bennett Stirtz leads Iowa into Sweet 16 for first time since 1999: 'Win or lose, give glory to God'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved March 26, 2026.