Bennett Stirtz, the former Iowa standout, is making Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti look smart already. Through three preseason games, the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has scored 61 points and hit 13 three-pointers, outplaying several point guards drafted ahead of him, according to Bleacher Report.
Stirtz followed that burst with a quieter seven-point night on Oct. 13, but the early returns suggest the 6'4" guard has a real shot at a rotation spot on a team expected to contend for a title. For Iowa basketball fans who watched him play his college ball in the state, the preseason showing is a familiar sight.
Stirtz Highlights a Class of Early Draft Steals
Bleacher Report published its roundup of rookies already outperforming their draft position on Oct. 18, and Stirtz earned a spot alongside bigger names. The list included Golden State's Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11, Oklahoma City's Aday Mara at No. 12, Dallas playmaker Sergio de Larrea at No. 25, and San Antonio big man Tarris Reed Jr. at No. 26.
The common thread: strong exhibition play that points to real rotation roles and better production than most scouts projected back in June.
Why Stirtz Stands Out for the Thunder
Stirtz's three-point shot looks like a given at the NBA level, Bleacher Report noted. The ball comes out of his hands easily, and he has shown no hesitation firing on the catch.
Against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 6, he flashed floaters and running leaners that suggest a more developed arsenal than expected. At 23 years old, he may have less room to grow than the younger guards taken in the first 10 picks. Then again, those prospects aren't guaranteed to match the poise and shot-making Stirtz is already showing.
The Athletic, in its own rookie review published Oct. 18, came away similarly impressed with the early rookie class, singling out several first-year players who stood out in preseason.
Lendeborg Looks Like Golden State's Second Option
Stephen Curry and the Warriors know they are older and less athletic than most opponents, which is why they told rookie Yaxel Lendeborg they "don't want anything passive" from him, per Bleacher Report.
The No. 11 pick has obliged. The 6'9", 240-pound Michigan product is too strong for wings and too quick for bigs. He racked up 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against the Kings on Oct. 10 and already looks like the second-most-important Warrior behind Curry.
Mara Drawing Pau Gasol Comparisons
Four spots ahead of Stirtz, the Thunder took 7'3" Spanish center Aday Mara, and Bleacher Report sees Hall of Famer Pau Gasol in his game. Mara produced 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four blocks against the Hawks on Oct. 12, five days after going a perfect 10-of-10 from the field against the Bucks.
His passing may be his swing skill. Like Gasol, Mara scans the floor before he receives the ball, then delivers it to the right spot on time.
Other Rookies Making Noise
Dallas took Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea at No. 25, and Bleacher Report reported the Mavericks badly need him to pop as a playmaker with Kyrie Irving currently carrying the load. So far, the rookie has hit rollers for lobs and whipped the ball ahead in transition with a natural feel for the game.
San Antonio's Tarris Reed Jr., the No. 26 pick, grabbed 17 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 12. Fellow rookie Jayden Quaintance is still rehabbing a knee injury, which should keep the door open for Reed to earn minutes.
Elsewhere around the league, Heavy Sports reported that NBA executives view Lakers wing Cameron Carr as another potential 2026 draft steal.
What It Means for Iowa Fans
Stirtz's rise gives Iowa basketball fans a player to follow all winter on one of the league's best teams. While the state's attention turns to the Hawkeyes climbing the college football rankings, the NBA season starting this week offers a local storyline of its own.
The Thunder open the regular season with Stirtz in position to claim a bench role, and if his preseason shooting carries over, the No. 16 pick may go down as one of the biggest bargains in the 2026 draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Bennett Stirtz play college basketball?
Stirtz played his college basketball at Iowa before the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him No. 16 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
How has Stirtz performed in the NBA preseason?
He scored 61 points and made 13 three-pointers across his first three preseason games, followed by a seven-point outing on Oct. 13, according to Bleacher Report.
Which other 2026 rookies are outperforming their draft slots?
Bleacher Report highlighted Yaxel Lendeborg (Warriors), Aday Mara (Thunder), Sergio de Larrea (Mavericks) and Tarris Reed Jr. (Spurs) as early candidates to outplay their draft position.