Bennett Stirtz Projects as First‑Round Pick After Combine Shooting Surge

Stirtz earned an invitation to the Combine after an All‑Big Ten season with Iowa. The former Northwest Missouri State, Drake, and Iowa transfer entered the event with a reputation for clutch shooting and a backup plan that involves mowing lawns with his brothers.

At the Combine, Stirtz posted the top unofficial score in the spot‑up shooting drill, a test that measures a player’s ability to catch and shoot from a stationary position. He also ranked second in the side‑mid‑side drill, which evaluates shooting consistency from three spots on the court. Those results placed him ahead of most peers in pure shooting metrics.

Scouts view shooting ability as a premium skill for modern NBA guards. Ranking first and second in these drills suggests Stirtz can translate his college shooting success to the professional level. His performance aligns with his self‑assessment that he is “the best shooter” on his team and mirrors the skill sets of NBA players Jamal Murray and Ty Jerome, whom he cited as models.

Stirtz’s draft outlook improved dramatically after the Combine. Analysts now list him among the likely first‑round selections in June, a notable jump from his earlier status as a fringe prospect. The projection reflects both his measurable shooting talent and his intangibles, such as resilience after transferring three times to follow coach Ben McCollum.

Outside basketball, Stirtz remains grounded. He told reporters his fallback would be to return home and run a lawn‑mowing business with his brothers, a venture already documented on social media and his LinkedIn profile. The candid comment underscores the uncertainty that still surrounds late‑round picks and the importance of having a non‑basketball contingency.

What it means for NBA teams: Stirtz offers a low‑risk, high‑reward shooting package that could fill a back‑court spot on a roster seeking floor spacing. His proven ability to perform under Combine pressure suggests he can handle the transition to the professional environment.

The next indicator will be his performance in pre‑draft workouts and team interviews. Teams will watch how he adapts to higher‑intensity defensive drills and whether his shooting translates against NBA‑level athletes.