Former Hawkeye Bennett Stirtz Invited to the NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is next week, and former Iowa basketball star Bennett Stirtz has been invited to the party!

Bennett Stirtz Gets Official Invite to the NBA Draft

The Des Moines Register reports that former Iowa star point guard Bennett Stirtz has officially been invited to attend the 2026 NBA Draft. The big event takes place June 23-24 in Brooklyn. What does it mean when a player gets an official invite? It means that most scouts and team executives believe that Stirtz will be a first-round pick and will be featured on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Who Was the Last Hawkeye to Get Drafted in the First Round?

The Register reports that the Murray twins were the last Hawkeyes to hear their names called in the first round of the NBA Draft. Keegan was the fourth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in 2022, and Kris was drafted 23rd overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023. Bennett Stirtz will add his name to that list next week.

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A Season to Remember at Iowa

Stirtz will be remembered as an all-time great Hawkeye, even if he only played one season in Iowa City. The Register reports that the senior point guard averaged over 19 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds per game for Iowa. He led Iowa on a run in the NCAA Tournament that Hawkeye fans will remember for years, defeating #1 seed Florida and landing in the Elite Eight.

We'll find out which NBA team is getting a fantastic point guard next Tuesday night!