Bennett Stirtz didn’t waste any time making Oklahoma City look smart.
In his first official NBA game, the former Iowa guard stepped into Summer League action in Salt Lake City and delivered exactly the kind of steady, polished performance that explains why Thunder GM Sam Presti wanted him in the first place. Oklahoma City fell 111-74 to Memphis, the same team that took Stirtz No. 16 overall on draft night before sending him to the Thunder, but Stirtz still gave the debut plenty of juice.
He started alongside four other rookies from the 2026 NBA Draft class and finished with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in 24 minutes. He shot 3-for-6 from the field and 2-for-3 from deep, good for 50 percent overall and 67 percent from beyond the arc. On America’s 250th birthday, it was a clean, composed showing from a player who already looks comfortable in the moment.
The matchup had a little extra edge because it came against Memphis, the team that originally drafted him. Stirtz matched No. 12 overall pick Aday Mara with 10 points, and he looked every bit like the kind of guard who knows how to control a possession.
The draft profile on Stirtz described him as a crafty scorer who uses timing, touch and angles to keep defenses guessing, while also comparing him to Memphis guard Ty Jerome. That description fit what he put on the floor.
There was plenty of Iowa flavor in the lineup, too. Former Hawkeye Josh Dix started and scored five points, while Payton Sandfort led the Thunder with 13. Sandfort is still trying to earn his place after Oklahoma City waived him before Summer League began, leaving him to battle for either a roster spot or a G League role.
Stirtz’s one-game sample doesn’t tell the whole story, but it does reinforce the appeal. He may not have the explosive burst some NBA guards bring, yet he plays with the poise of a veteran and can operate on or off the ball. His shooting and durability stand out as major assets, and those are the kinds of traits that travel well at this level.
Oklahoma City may have landed a pair of draft steals in Stirtz and Mara, though both rookies still have work ahead of them. Minutes won’t come easy with established veterans ahead of them, including MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein, but both have the tools to push for a role in year one.
The Thunder’s next Summer League game is Monday, July 6, at 6 p.m. Central Time on ESPN and Prime Video.
In Other News...
Iowas Week 1 Suddenly Looks Tougher After Northern Illinois QB Upgrade
Northern Illinois has given its quarterback room a real jolt heading into the opener, and Iowa now has a little more to sort through before the teams meet Sept. 5 at Kinnick Stadium. The Huskies added Taron Dickens, a transfer who flashed at Western Carolina with a big sophomore season and enough efficiency to make him one of the more intriguing names to change schools this offseason.
Dickens had also briefly committed to North Carolina before heading back into the portal, a reminder that his path has not been a straight line. For Iowa, the concern is simple: a quarterback with that kind of production and upside can make a Week 1 defense work harder than expected, especially when the first game of the year is supposed to be about settling in rather than dealing with a proven passer. [Read more 🡒]
Several Former Hawkeyes Are Fighting For Their NBA Future This Summer
A familiar summer storyline is unfolding for Iowa fans, with several former Hawkeyes getting a chance to keep their NBA hopes alive in the 2026 Summer League. The action will stretch across California, Utah and Nevada over the next few weeks, and the list of ex-Hawkeyes is a reminder of how many players from the program are still trying to carve out a place at the next level.
Bennett Stirtz and Payton Sandfort are set to be with the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Josh Dix is also in that mix on a two-way deal. Brendan Hausen will get his shot with the Memphis Grizzlies, and Mitch Mascari is headed to the Sacramento Kings, giving Iowa followers plenty of familiar names to track as rosters get tested and jobs are sorted out in real time. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Misses On Another Dowling Catholic Standout Decision
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Muller had drawn interest from several high-profile schools, including Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, but Iowa was unable to close the gap. The family angle only adds to the intrigue, since her sister Ellie is also part of Missouris incoming freshman class, leaving Hawkeye fans to wonder how many more local recruiting battles they can afford to let slip away. [Read more 🡒]