Up-and-coming squad takes Iowa PG Bennett Stirtz in CBS NBA mock draft
The latest NBA mock draft from CBS Sports sees Bennett Stirtz landing with a young contender in the first round.
Bennett Stirtz is a polarizing figure in the 2026 NBA Draft. Is he as purely athletic and able to jump out of the gym as some of the other future first-round picks in the draft class? No.
Is he arguably the most seasoned point guard who can step in and be an immediate plug-and-play pick for a team ready to contend? You absolutely could argue, yes, there. After leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to an unforgettable Elite 8 run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Stirtz appears to be destined for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, with it being just a matter of where.
In CBS Sports' recent NBA mock draft , Stirtz is headed to the East Coast to join the Charlotte Hornets , a young and feisty team looking to contend soon. Round 1 - Pick 18 Charlotte Hornets: Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa Stirtz is a highly skilled true point guard with an elite feel for the game. He's not an overwhelming athlete or defender, but he's a big-time shooter, ultra-reliable and always in the right spots.
Stirtz has an understanding of the game beyond his years. If Charlotte goes big at 14, they'll likely look for perimeter depth here with Coby White's upcoming free agency. - Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports Charlotte finished the 2025-26 NBA Season 44-38 overall, which saw them earn a spot in the NBA's play-in games, where they took down the Miami Heat before falling to the Orlando Magic.