Thunder acquire Bennett Stirtz from Grizzlies at No. 16 in NBA Draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 2:08 AM
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded with the Memphis Grizzlies to secure Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz with the 16th pick in the NBA Draft. Stirtz played a key role in leading the Hawkeyes to the Elite Eight, averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists in his final season at Iowa. Memphis initially selected Stirtz at 16 but moved to No. 21 after trading with the Detroit Pistons, acquiring additional future second-round picks. Stirtz is the first Iowa player drafted since 2023 and made a significant impact at multiple college programs during his career.
- •Bennett Stirtz averaged 19.8 points per game last season.
- •Thunder selected Stirtz after a trade with the Grizzlies.
- •Grizzlies gained five second-round picks in the trade.
- •Stirtz is Iowa's first NBA Draft pick since 2023.
- 2:08 AMYahoo Sports — NBA Draft: Thunder trade for Iowa star Bennett Stirtz at No. 16 with Grizzlies, who load up on picks in opening round
- 2:06 AMYahoo Sports — OKC Thunder lands Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz in 2026 NBA Draft pick trade with Grizzlies
- 1:59 AMYahoo Sports — Iowa basketball's Bennett Stirtz picked 16th in NBA Draft, then traded
"The Memphis Grizzlies selected Iowa basketball's Bennett Stirtz with the 16th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, then traded him to Oklahoma City.
"The OKC Thunder is trading up to select Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz with the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
"Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes on their deepest NCAA tournament run in decades earlier this year.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 2:08 AMNBA Draft: Thunder trade for Iowa star Bennett Stirtz at No. 16 with Grizzlies, who load up on picks in opening round
Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes on their deepest NCAA tournament run in decades earlier this year.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 2:06 AMOKC Thunder lands Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz in 2026 NBA Draft pick trade with Grizzlies
The OKC Thunder is trading up to select Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz with the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 1:59 AMIowa basketball's Bennett Stirtz picked 16th in NBA Draft, then traded
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Iowa basketball's Bennett Stirtz with the 16th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, then traded him to Oklahoma City.
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