Iowa's Bennett Stirtz Set for NBA Summer League Debut with OKC Thunder
Former Iowa Hawkeyes standout Bennett Stirtz will make his professional debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2026 NBA Summer League. Stirtz, who was selected with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, begins his NBA journey Saturday in Salt Lake City.
How to watch Bennett Stirtz in the NBA Summer League
The Thunder announced their Summer League roster on Thursday. OKC will compete in the Salt Lake City Summer League first, starting with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies at 2 p.m. CT Saturday. Following a three-game stretch in Utah, the team will head to the Las Vegas Summer League for a four-game slate beginning July 10.
Why Bennett Stirtz brings hard work and grit to OKC
Stirtz is exactly the kind of player Iowa fans love. He brings an elite work ethic, incredible durability, and a blue-collar approach to the game. OKC traded up one spot to select the 6-foot-3 guard, and it is easy to see why they wanted him.
During his senior season at Iowa, Stirtz averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He shot 47.7% from the field and 35.8% from deep. He is a well-rounded offensive player who can space the floor, create his own shot, and excel in the pick-and-roll.
Perhaps his most impressive trait is his reliability. Stirtz played in every single game throughout his four-year college career, logging heavy minutes without missing a beat. That iron-man mentality is incredibly valuable for an OKC team that dealt with its fair share of injuries last season despite having a deep guard rotation.
Stirtz's journey from Division II basketball to Division I and now to the NBA is a testament to perseverance and individual effort. Defense remains an area for improvement, but he has elite players to learn from in Oklahoma City.
Which other Thunder rookies will share the floor?
Stirtz will not be the only new face on the court. The Thunder's Summer League roster is headlined by their three selections from the 2026 NBA Draft.
OKC added Michigan center Aday Mara with the No. 12 pick. The 7-foot-3 big man has elite size, boasting a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-9 standing reach. That reach is tied for the second-longest measurement in NBA Combine history. Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks on 66.8% shooting during Michigan's championship run last season. He also possesses impressive passing skills for his position.
The Thunder also selected Kentucky guard Otega Oweh with the No. 41 pick. Oweh is a familiar face in the region, having spent his first two college seasons at Oklahoma before transferring. He averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals as a senior. Oweh uses his physicality to be a tenacious on-ball defender, though his three-point shot is still developing.
Who is coaching the Thunder in Summer League?
Daniel Dixon will coach the Thunder during the Salt Lake City Summer League. A former player at William & Mary, Dixon is entering his fifth season in the Thunder organization.
Connor Johnson will take over the clipboard for the Las Vegas Summer League. Johnson previously coached the 76ers' G League affiliate for three seasons and is now in his seventh season with OKC.
What are Bennett Stirtz's biggest strengths?
Stirtz brings elite floor spacing, shot creation, and pick-and-roll efficiency to the professional level. His most underrated strength is his remarkable durability, having never missed a game in his four-year college career.
What does Stirtz need to improve at the NBA level?
NBA scouts note that defense is the primary area where Stirtz must improve. Fortunately, he joins an Oklahoma City franchise known for developing talent well, and he will have the opportunity to learn from elite defensive guards on the roster.