2026 NBA Draft: Iowa Star Stirtz Headlines Big Night
The 2026 NBA Draft delivered plenty of surprises, but for Iowa basketball fans, one moment stood above the rest. Former Hawkeyes guard Drew Stirtz heard his name called in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder, capping a remarkable journey from Drake to Iowa City and now to the NBA. Across the league, the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder earned the highest marks on draft night, while several teams made bold moves that could reshape their futures.
How Did Iowa's Drew Stirtz End Up in Oklahoma City?
Stirtz became the story of the night for Iowans. The Thunder moved up to acquire the 16th overall pick from Memphis, sending a clear signal that general manager Sam Presti wanted more shot-creation depth after running dry in the Western Conference Finals against San Antonio.
Stirtz built his reputation on feel and fundamentals rather than flashy athleticism. After transferring from Drake to Iowa, he kept producing at a high level with precision passing, pump fakes and deep shooting touch off the dribble. His basketball IQ separates him from most prospects in this class.
The question isn't whether he can play. If he adjusts to the physicality and speed of the NBA, he could thrive as both a floor general and off-ball connector.
For Iowa fans who watched him orchestrate the Hawkeye offense, the fit makes perfect sense. Oklahoma City develops talent as well as any organization in the league, and Stirtz has the work ethic to match their culture.
Which Teams Scored the Highest Draft Grades?
Memphis Grizzlies: A+
The Grizzlies walked away with the most polished player in the entire draft. Cam Boozer, the Naismith Player of the Year out of Duke, fell into their laps at number two overall. At 6-foot-8 and 253 pounds, Boozer scores with footwork and power from the post, hits 40 percent of his three-pointers on high volume, and handles the ball well enough to run offense as a point forward.
Memphis also landed a potential steal in Diego López, the best basketball prospect Mexico has ever produced. López brings defensive versatility, ball-handling skills and a developing jumper. The Grizzlies rounded out their night with Jaxon Saunders, a hard-nosed two-way wing who plays with relentless energy.
Oklahoma City Thunder: A+
Oklahoma City added two cornerstone pieces without ever moving up in the lottery. Spanish center Aday Mara, who revitalized his stock at Michigan after two forgettable seasons at UCLA, fell to them at number 12. Mara reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands and swats shots with elite timing. If the Thunder can develop his jumper, the rest of the league is in trouble.
Then came Stirtz at number 16, giving the Thunder backcourt depth and intelligence. Oweh rounded out their draft as a 3-and-D wing with connective passing skills and a strong frame.
What Should Iowa Fans Watch Next Season?
Beyond Stirtz, several other draft storylines carry local interest. Morez Johnson, who played his high school ball in Chicago before transferring from Illinois to Michigan, was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson became the connective tissue of Michigan's national championship team as a 251-pound wrecking ball with soft hands and defensive versatility.
Washington landed the top overall pick in A.J. Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 shot-creator who led the nation with 25.5 points per game at BYU. Dybantsa joins a Wizards roster featuring Anthony Davis and Trae Young, making Washington a team to watch in the East.
Chicago walked away with the most athletic player in the draft in Jalen Wilson at number four overall. Wilson is 6-foot-9 with elite leaping ability and defensive upside, giving the Bulls a potential franchise cornerstone alongside their existing young core.
Which Teams Struggled on Draft Night?
Orlando Magic: C
The Magic needed shooting and drafted a player who cannot shoot. Nelson is an athletic 6-foot-8 defender with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, but his limitations outside the paint make this pick tough to justify given Orlando's roster construction.
New Orleans Pelicans: C
The Pelicans tried to trade into the first round and failed. They settled for Pierre in the late second round, an athletic wing who scores effectively but brings defensive questions.
Denver Nuggets: B-
Denver added Brazile, a fifth-year senior coming off an ACL recovery, and Hopkins, a big wing who still cannot shoot reliably. Both players offer athleticism and defensive potential, but neither addresses the Nuggets' spacing concerns around Nikola Jokić.
Why Does This Draft Matter for the League's Future?
The 2026 draft class may lack a consensus generational talent, but it delivered depth and intrigue across both rounds. Playoff contenders like Boston, New York and Miami added targeted pieces. Rebuilding franchises like Washington, Detroit and Utah landed potential stars.
For Iowa basketball, Stirtz's first-round selection validates the program's ability to develop NBA talent. Head coach Ben McCollum and his staff took a Drake transfer and turned him into a first-round pick in one season. That matters on the recruiting trail, and it matters to every player currently on the Hawkeyes roster who dreams of hearing his name called on draft night.
Which First-Round Picks Could Become Stars?
Will A.J. Dybantsa Live Up to the Hype in Washington?
Dybantsa has the highest ceiling in the draft. He broke Danny Ainge's 48-year-old BYU freshman scoring record with a 43-point eruption and led the nation in scoring. His floor is remarkably high due to his scoring skill alone, and his ceiling could reach MVP level if he develops a reliable three-point shot and becomes a more impactful defender.
Can Cam Boozer Anchor Memphis as a Franchise Player?
Boozer's skill and adaptability make him the safest pick in the draft, but questions persist about his vertical athleticism and whether his style of overpowering smaller defenders will translate against NBA length. Pairing him with Zach Edey in the frontcourt gives Memphis a physical identity, and Boozer's basketball IQ suggests he will figure out how to adjust.
Is Drew Stirtz the Steal of the First Round?
Stirtz went later than many expected, but his landing spot could not be better. Oklahoma City develops guards as well as any team in basketball, and Stirtz's combination of shooting touch, passing vision and basketball IQ gives him a real path to meaningful minutes as a rookie. Iowa fans should circle the Thunder on their watch list this fall.