The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the guard’s draft night will play out.
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Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Bennett Stirtz 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 19 overall, Toronto Raptors
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
The Raptors could use another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who is doing the same at Iowa. While he has not looked stellar during March Madness, he has still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.
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See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Bennett Stirtz player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
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49.2% field goal percentage
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37.6% three-point field goal percentage
Toronto Raptors 2026 projected draft picks
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bennett Stirtz NBA mock draft projection: Where Iowa star is expected to land
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