Bennett Stirtz, 3 Iowa State players make ESPN's 2026 NBA mock draft

Bennett Stirtz, 3 Iowa State players make ESPN's 2026 NBA mock draft

With the 2026 NBA Draft just around the corner on May 10, experts are starting to release their predictions and mock drafts for the two-round affair.

ESPN's Jeremy Woo published his picks on Tuesday, April 28, and his mock draft features four players from Iowa colleges, including two in the first round.

Here's where the Hawkeyes and Cyclones stars landed, as well as Woo's comments on first-round projections:

More: Record NFL Draft output enhances legacy of 2025 Iowa football | Leistikow

Iowa, Iowa State basketball players in ESPN 2026 NBA mock draft

Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa ― Round 1, Pick 21, Detroit Pistons

• Jeremy Woo's comments: "Stirtz helped reaffirm his NBA readiness in March, captaining Iowa to a surprise Elite Eight run. While his shooting was streakier than anticipated this season (35.8% from 3), he carried a heavy workload and was asked to create for himself far more than he'll need to in the pros. His ability to navigate ball screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation, despite the fact that he will enter the league as a 23-year-old rookie. Detroit has a need for added shooting around Cade Cunningham and can go several directions at this spot. Stirtz is capable of bolstering the second unit and also adding spacing playing off the Pistons' various playmaking wings."