Two Iowa Stars Selected in First Round of 2026 NBA Draft
The first round of the 2026 NBA draft delivered big moments for Iowa basketball fans. Two players with Iowa ties heard their names called Tuesday night in Brooklyn, as former Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz went 16th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson was selected 28th by the Brooklyn Nets.
How Did the Top Picks Shake Out?
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa headlined the night as the No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Wizards. Dybantsa became the highest-drafted player in BYU history, edging out Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who went second to the Utah Jazz. Duke forward Cameron Boozer rounded out the top three, landing with the Memphis Grizzlies.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson went fourth to the Chicago Bulls, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler completed the top five as the LA Clippers' selection. The top five picks largely followed pre-draft projections, but the rest of the evening delivered its share of surprises.
What Does Bennett Stirtz Bring to Oklahoma City?
The Oklahoma City Thunder snagged Bennett Stirtz with the 16th pick, acquired via Memphis, making him the highest-drafted Iowa Hawkeye in years. Stirtz carved out a reputation as a steady, high-IQ floor general during his time in Iowa City, and his selection reflects the growing national respect for the program's player development.
For Iowa fans, seeing Stirtz land in a young, ascending Thunder organization is an exciting outcome. Oklahoma City has built one of the league's most promising cores, and Stirtz's toughness and court vision should complement their style from day one.
Joshua Jefferson Heads to Brooklyn
Later in the first round, the Brooklyn Nets used the 28th pick on Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson. Jefferson brought relentless energy and rebounding prowess to Ames, helping anchor the Cyclones' frontcourt. His selection gives Iowa State another visible NBA representative and reinforces the program's ability to produce pro-ready talent.
The Nets are in the midst of a full roster rebuild, which could give Jefferson a real opportunity to earn early minutes and carve out a lasting role in the league.
Full List of 2026 NBA First-Round Picks
- Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
- Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (Kansas)
- Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (North Carolina)
- LA Clippers: Keaton Wagler (Illinois)
- Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
- Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas)
- Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings (Houston)
- Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries (Arizona)
- Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara (Michigan)
- Milwaukee Bucks (via Miami): Nate Ament (Tennessee)
- Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach (Washington)
- Chicago Bulls (via Portland): Dailyn Swain (Texas)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via Memphis): Bennett Stirtz (Iowa)
- Detroit Pistons (from OKC via Memphis): Ebuka Okorie (Stanford)
- Charlotte Hornets (via Orlando): Christian Anderson Jr. (Texas Tech)
- Toronto Raptors: Allen Graves (Santa Clara)
- San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky)
- Memphis Grizzlies (via Detroit): Karim López (NZ Breakers)
- Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston): Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama)
- Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland): Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)
- Los Angeles Lakers (via New York): Cameron Carr (Baylor)
- Dallas Mavericks (from Lakers via New York): Sergio de Larrea (Valencia Basket)
- San Antonio Spurs (via Denver): Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn)
- Boston Celtics: Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston)
- Brooklyn Nets (via Minnesota): Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State)
- Sacramento Kings (via Cleveland): Alex Karaban (UConn)
- Phoenix Suns (from Dallas via New York): Koa Peat (Arizona)
When Is the Second Round?
The draft continues Wednesday night with the second round, starting at 8 p.m. EDT from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Coverage airs on ESPN.
Why Does This Matter for Iowa Basketball?
Having two in-state players selected in the first round is a statement. It signals that both the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones are producing talent that NBA front offices trust. For recruits considering Iowa schools, nights like this serve as powerful proof that the path to the league runs right through the Hawkeye State.
As the college basketball landscape continues to shift with transfer portals and conference realignment, Iowa's ability to develop and showcase NBA-caliber talent remains a competitive advantage that both programs can sell on the recruiting trail.