Oklahoma City Thunder selects Bennett Stirtz with No. 16 pick in NBA draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 2:01 PM
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
On June 24, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Bennett Stirtz from Iowa with the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. The Thunder traded the No. 17 pick and two second-round picks to secure him. Stirtz, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists last season. His ability as a high-volume shooter and secondary ball-handler aligns with the Thunder's needs as they look to bolster their roster following trades of key players. Stirtz's journey in college basketball included stints at Northwest Missouri State and Drake before his standout year at Iowa, where he played crucial minutes during March Madness.
- •Stirtz averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists last season.
- •Thunder traded the No. 17 pick and two second-rounders for Stirtz.
- •He is a high-volume outside shooter with strong offensive skills.
- •Stirtz's college journey included time at D-II Northwest Missouri State and Drake.
- •He played full games during Iowa's March Madness run to the Elite Eight.
- 1:17 AMYahoo Sports — Draft Grades: Thunder’s Selection of Bennett Stirtz at No. 16
- 7:23 PMYahoo Sports — OKC Thunder NBA Draft grade roundup, mostly praise for Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz
- 2:01 PMYahoo Sports — 2026 NBA draft: Grading OKC Thunder's selection of Bennett Stirtz
"The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2026 NBA Draft with plenty of flexibility, and after trading up one spot to 16, they made sure they landed their guy in Bennett Stirtz. It wasn’t the flashiest selection of the night, and it certainly wasn’t the highest upside swing on the board, but it was another pick that reflects exactly how Sam Presti has built a championship caliber roster.
"The Oklahoma City Thunder made two first-round selections in the 2026 NBA Draft with Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. Here's how experts graded them.
"2026 NBA draft: Grading the Oklahoma City Thunder's selection of Bennett Stirtz.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 26, 2026, 1:17 AMDraft Grades: Thunder’s Selection of Bennett Stirtz at No. 16
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2026 NBA Draft with plenty of flexibility, and after trading up one spot to 16, they made sure they landed their guy in Bennett Stirtz. It wasn’t the flashiest selection of the night, and it certainly wasn’t the highest upside swing on the board, but it was another pick that reflects exactly how Sam Presti has built a championship caliber roster.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 7:23 PMOKC Thunder NBA Draft grade roundup, mostly praise for Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz
The Oklahoma City Thunder made two first-round selections in the 2026 NBA Draft with Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. Here's how experts graded them.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 2:01 PM2026 NBA draft: Grading OKC Thunder's selection of Bennett Stirtz
2026 NBA draft: Grading the Oklahoma City Thunder's selection of Bennett Stirtz.
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