Bennett Stirtz is showing up in multiple draft prognostications tied to the Charlotte Hornets on NBA Draft day. The fit is simple: the Hornets are looking at a guard with one of their two first round picks, and Stirtz is one of the names in that lane.
Bennett Stirtz and Ben McCollum
Stirtz’s path has been tied to Ben McCollum from the start. He began his post-high school career at Northwest Missouri State, linked up with McCollum there, followed him to Drake, and later went with him to Iowa University.
A few months ago, Stirtz and McCollum took the Hawkeyes to the brink of the Final Four. That run left Stirtz on a bigger stage at 22 years old, with a profile built around scoring rather than patience or size.
Hawkeyes scoring profile
Stirtz posted a 26.1% usage rate as a Hawkeye, which ranked in the 61st percentile among guards. He also shot 70.5% at the rim on solid volume, 46.9% from mid-range, and 35.8% from three on elite volume, while taking 11.8 three-point attempts per 100 possessions.
That mix explains why he keeps surfacing for a team like the Charlotte Hornets. He handled a heavy offensive load, and his shot chart shows production at all three levels, but he is rather slight and not super athletic, which puts more weight on craft, timing, and efficiency than on raw burst.
The Hornets' draft choice
The question now is whether the Charlotte Hornets actually use one of those two first round picks on Stirtz. Draft day projections have put him in play, and the team’s guard search gives his name real traction as the clock runs on the NBA Draft.
