Bennett Stirtz        

HIGH SCHOOL: Bennett Stirtz attended Liberty High School and lived in or near Liberty, Missouri. He was a 1000-point scorer his senior year, and left as 3rd all time in scoring. He was twice named all-State, and was named Suburban Gold Conference Player of Year and twice named to the All-District team. He averaged 18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.5 steals as senior leading team to 25-3 record in 2021-22. He signed with Northwest Missouri State.

COLLEGE: After having success at Northwest, he transferred with coach Ben McCollum to Drake for the 2024-25. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a 31-3 regular season, including the regular season and tournament titles, and a 1st round upset over #6 seed Missouri in the NCAA Tournament. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Larry Bird Player of the Year & MVC Newcomer of Year after leading league in scoring (19.1 avg.), steals (2.2 avg.) and assist/turnover ration (2.89), while ranking second in assists (5.7 avg.). He joined legendary Oscar Robertson as only players in MVC history to collect 30 points and 12-plus assists in a game. After McCollum was hired at Iowa, he transferred in April 2025.