Drake transfer Bennett Stirtz told Eliot Clough of Rivals on Thursday that he will forgo the 2025 NBA draft to focus on his senior season at Iowa.
Stirtz agreed to follow former head coach Ben McCollum to the Hawkeyes after the program hired him on March 24 to replace Fran McCaffery. He stated his intentions to declare for the draft the following day while maintaining his remaining college eligibility.
The 21-year-old said the decision to withdraw his name from draft consideration stemmed from his desire to fully commit to the program and McCollum next season. He is one of three former Drake players to join McCollum in Iowa City.
— Bennett Stirtz (@bennett_stirtz) April 1, 2025
Stirtz also played under McCollum for two years at Northwest Missouri State in Division II. He was a two-time All-MIAA second-team selection and the Freshman of the Year in 2023, leading the Bearcats to the conference championship.
The 6-foot-4 guard was the MVC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at Drake, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range. He was the only player in the country to record at least 600 points, 180 assists and 70 steals.
Stirtz was considered a potential second-round pick in the draft this year after leading the Bulldogs to their eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He will now have the opportunity to jump to a Power Four conference and continue his career ascension.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: NBA rumors: Bennett Stirtz to forgo 2025 draft, transfer to Iowa
