Iowa Hawkeyes and Cyclones Stars Selected in 2026 NBA Draft
Two of Iowa's own are heading to the pros. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz and Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson were selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night. The draft showcased the strength of heartland basketball, proving that Iowa's player development can compete with any coastal program.
How Did Iowa Hawkeyes Guard Bennett Stirtz Get Drafted?
Stirtz was selected 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies but was immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The move gives the dynamic guard a fresh start with a Western Conference contender. His sharp shooting and court vision made him a standout in the Big Ten, and now he takes that relentless work ethic to the next level. It is a major win for the Hawkeyes program, which continues to send top talent to the professional ranks.
Where Did Iowa State Cyclones Forward Joshua Jefferson Land?
Jefferson heard his name called at No. 28. He is heading to the Brooklyn Nets after a pick originally held by the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Julius Randle trade. Jefferson's toughness in the paint and rebounding prowess made him a fan favorite in Ames. He brings a blue collar mentality and a strong defensive presence that Nets fans will surely appreciate. His selection marks another successful draft night for Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger and his staff.
Full List of 2026 NBA Draft First Round Picks
The first round featured plenty of trades and surprises. The Washington Wizards kicked off the night by selecting BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick. Here is the complete list of the 30 players selected on Tuesday night.
- No. 1: AJ Dybantsa (Brigham Young, F) selected by the Washington Wizards
- No. 2: Darryn Peterson (Kansas, G) selected by the Utah Jazz
- No. 3: Cameron Boozer (Duke, F) selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
- No. 4: Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, F) selected by the Chicago Bulls
- No. 5: Keaton Wagler (Illinois, G) selected by the Los Angeles Clippers
- No. 6: Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville, G) selected by the Brooklyn Nets
- No. 7: Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, G) selected by the Sacramento Kings
- No. 8: Kingston Flemings (Houston, G) selected by the Atlanta Hawks
- No. 9: Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan, C/F) selected by the Dallas Mavericks
- No. 10: Brayden Burries (Arizona, G) selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
- No. 11: Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan, F) selected by the Golden State Warriors
- No. 12: Aday Mara (Michigan, C) selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder
- No. 13: Nate Ament (Tennessee, F) selected by the Milwaukee Bucks (Pick acquired from Miami Heat in Giannis trade)
- No. 14: Hannes Steinbach (Washington, F) selected by the Charlotte Hornets
- No. 15: Dailyn Swain (Texas, F) selected by the Chicago Bulls
- No. 16: Bennett Stirtz (Iowa, G) selected by the Memphis Grizzlies and immediately traded to OKC
- No. 17: Ebuka Okorie (Stanford, G) selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, immediately traded to MEM, then to DET
- No. 18: Christian Anderson Jr. (Texas Tech, G) selected by the Charlotte Hornets
- No. 19: Allen Graves (Santa Clara, F) selected by the Toronto Raptors
- No. 20: Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky, C) selected by the San Antonio Spurs
- No. 21: Karim Lopez (NZ Breakers, F) selected by the Detroit Pistons and immediately traded to MEM
- No. 22: Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama, G) selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
- No. 23: Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's, F) selected by the Atlanta Hawks
- No. 24: Cameron Carr (Baylor, G) selected by the New York Knicks and immediately traded to LAL
- No. 25: Sergio De Larrea (Valencia, G) selected by the Los Angeles Lakers and immediately traded to NYK
- No. 26: Tarris Reed Jr. (Connecticut, C) selected by the Denver Nuggets and immediately traded to SAS
- No. 27: Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston, F) selected by the Boston Celtics
- No. 28: Joshua Jefferson (Iowa St, F) selected by the Brooklyn Nets (Pick acquired from Minnesota Timberwolves in Julius Randle trade)
- No. 29: Alex Karaban (Connecticut, F) selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers and immediately traded to SAC
- No. 30: Koa Peat (Arizona, F) selected by the Dallas Mavericks and immediately traded to PHO
Which Iowa Players Were Drafted in the First Round of the 2026 NBA Draft?
Bennett Stirtz from the University of Iowa and Joshua Jefferson from Iowa State University were the two players from Iowa colleges selected in the first round. Stirtz went 16th to the Thunder, while Jefferson went 28th to the Nets.
Who Was the Number One Overall Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Washington Wizards selected BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson went second to the Utah Jazz, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer went third to the Memphis Grizzlies.