Iowa's Bennett Stirtz Turns Heads at Warriors NBA Draft Workout
Former Iowa Hawkeyes point guard Bennett Stirtz worked out for the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, joining two other top point guard prospects just days before the 2026 NBA Draft. Stirtz, who built his reputation in the state of Iowa at both Drake and Iowa, offers the Warriors a highly skilled, experienced playmaker as they look to add backcourt depth alongside Steph Curry.
How Did Bennett Stirtz Build His NBA Draft Stock in Iowa?
Stirtz took the long road to the NBA draft conversation, and it paid off. After two dominant seasons in Division II, he transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior. Rather than resting on that achievement, Stirtz leveled up again by transferring to the University of Iowa for his senior season, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
His college numbers tell the story of a player who simply knows how to run an offense. Over his two years of Division I basketball at Drake and Iowa, Stirtz shot 37.2 percent from three-point range. He also recorded 363 assists to just 138 turnovers, an exceptional ratio that shows his decision making and ball security. Add in 123 steals across those two seasons, and it is clear why NBA teams are taking a serious look.
Stirtz is not a top tier athlete, and he will be 23 before his first NBA game. What he brings instead is polish, basketball IQ, and proven production at every level he has played. For an Iowa audience that watched him dissect MVC and Big Ten defenses, his NBA appeal should come as no surprise.
Who Else Did the Warriors Work Out on Thursday?
The Warriors brought in three point guards with very different skill sets. Alongside Stirtz, Arizona's Brayden Burries and Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr. showcased their games on the Warriors' practice court. The workout also included Washington big man Hannes Steinbach and Baylor wing Cameron Carr, though Carr and Stirtz were late additions and were not available to the media.
Burries is the headliner of the group. A 6-foot-4, 215 pound guard with pure muscle, he posted the fourth highest standing vertical at the NBA combine and the fourth fastest lane agility run. He shot 39.1 percent from three at Arizona while taking 4.6 attempts per game. Burries also has a connection to the Warriors organization. He met Draymond Green during his high school playoff run in California, and Green was at Thursday's workout encouraging him.