Iowa Guard Bennett Stirtz on Atlanta Hawks' 2026 NBA Draft Radar
Former Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz is a confirmed target for the Atlanta Hawks at the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With the draft less than a week away, the Hawks hold the 8th and 23rd picks, giving them prime positioning to select the Iowa standout and add significant talent to their playoff roster.
What picks do the Atlanta Hawks hold in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Atlanta Hawks enter the 2026 NBA Draft as one of the most flexible teams in the league. They are the only playoff team with a top-ten pick and one of just two playoff teams holding a lottery selection. Atlanta finished the season with a strong 20-6 record after the All-Star Break and was the only team to beat the New York Knicks multiple times in the playoffs.
The Hawks currently hold three picks:
- No. 8, first round: This is the headline pick for Atlanta. The top four prospects are widely expected to be Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. The real draft action for the Hawks begins depending on what the Los Angeles Clippers, Nets, and Kings do ahead of them.
- No. 23, first round: Atlanta holds a second first-round pick. This selection gives the Hawks the flexibility to move up, move down, or trade for a future asset. If they stay put, this is where Iowa's Stirtz becomes a real possibility.
- No. 57, second round: The Hawks' final pick. Due to NIL rules keeping college players in school longer, the second-round talent pool has thinned out. Atlanta could easily trade this pick or use it on a developmental player who might not make the final roster.
Who are the Hawks targeting with the 8th pick?
If the Hawks keep the 8th pick and do not trade down, they will likely choose from a strong group of available players. The top targets for the No. 8 pick include:
- Illinois guard Keaton Wagler
- Houston guard Kingston Flemings
- Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr
- Michigan center Aday Mara
- Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg
- Arizona guard Brayden Burries
- Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr
Lendeborg or Burries could be targets if Atlanta decides to trade down from the eighth spot. Darius Acuff Jr is unlikely to still be on the board at No. 8, but he remains a possibility if he slides.
How does Iowa's Bennett Stirtz fit at pick 23?
For Iowa fans, the 23rd pick is the one to watch. Bennett Stirtz is firmly on the Hawks' radar as a potential selection. Stirtz represents the kind of hardworking, community-valued athlete that resonates with heartland basketball fans, and his availability at No. 23 makes him an attractive option for a playoff team needing depth.
If Atlanta stays at No. 23, the board opens up with several notable names, including:
- Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz
- Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie
- Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance
- Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson
- Houston center Chris Cenac Jr
- Santa Clara forward Allen Graves
- Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr
- Duke guard/forward Isaiah Evans
- North Carolina center Henri Veesaar
- Arizona forward Koa Peat
- Arkansas guard Maleek Thomas
- UConn center Tarris Reed Jr
What are the latest draft rumors surrounding the Hawks?
Rival teams indicate that Atlanta is keeping its options open. On June 15th, ESPN's Jeremy Woo reported on the Hawks' draft strategy in his latest mock draft.