Drake's Bennett Stirtz Predicted to Join $316 Million Superstars in NBA Mock Draft

"Stirtz, the player of the year in the Missouri Valley Conference, leads all Division I players averaging over 40 minutes per game," Givony wrote on Tuesday. "His size, feel for the game, unselfishness and competitiveness are attractive traits with the advanced playmaking ability he displays operating out of pick-and-roll. 

"... Facing just one other NCAA Tournament team all season (Vanderbilt), teams are interested in getting a better gauge on Stirtz's ability to create efficient offense against longer, more athletic opponents, as he struggles to separate from his first step and finish in traffic in the paint, as well as hold his own defensively with his thin frame."

ESPN's latest mock draft has the Lakers selecting Stirtz in the second round with the No. 55 pick. This would give Stirtz the chance to join LeBron James and Luka Doncic in Hollywood. Being a late second-round selection would make Stirtz a potential candidate to start his pro career in the G League. 

James' two-year, $101.3 million contract is slated to go through the 2025-26 NBA season. Doncic's five-year, $215 million deal can extend through 2026-27, but the superstar has a player-option for the final season. 

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman is a bit more bullish on Stirtz's NBA outlook. The analyst's mock draft has the Jazz selecting the guard with the No. 48 pick.