The countdown to the 2026 NBA Draft is officially on, and with just over a month to go, mock drafts are buzzing with predictions. This year, Iowa basketball fans have a reason to pay extra attention—point guard Bennett Stirtz has emerged as a legitimate first-round prospect, a rarity for the Hawkeyes in recent years.

Stirtz made the most of his lone season in Iowa City, dazzling scouts with his playmaking and sharpshooting. Averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game while logging an eye-popping 37.8 minutes a night, he was the engine behind Iowa's Elite Eight run. His ability to create offense and knock down shots has NBA teams taking notice, and it seems almost certain he'll hear his name called in the first round. The big question now: how early will that happen?

CBS Sports' latest mock draft offers a compelling answer. Writer Gary Parrish projects Stirtz landing with the Toronto Raptors at the 19th pick. That's a rising Eastern Conference contender that just pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs. With a young core led by superstar Scottie Barnes, plus emerging talents like Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja'Kobe Walter, Toronto is building something special. And with starting point guard Immanuel Quickley's future uncertain, Stirtz could be the perfect fit.

Parrish didn't hold back in his assessment: "It's rare for somebody to end up as a first-round pick after starting a college career at the Division II level, but Stirtz has a real chance to do it. Concerns about how he'll be able to guard his position in the NBA are valid. But Stirtz is a lead guard with a good assist-to-turnover ratio and a reliable jumper. If I were running a franchise, I wouldn't overthink this one. He can play."

While Stirtz may not boast the flashy upside of some other guards in this draft class, his consistency is what sets him apart. That reliability could be his ticket to a long NBA career—and a perfect addition to a Raptors team ready to take the next step. Wherever he lands, one thing is clear: Bennett Stirtz has earned his spot in the conversation.