Iowa's Stirtz Named to Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team

Senior guard leads Hawkeyes in scoring, assists, and steals this season.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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University of Iowa senior Bennett Stirtz has been named to the 2026 Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Late-Season Team. Stirtz is third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 20.5 points per game, and also contributes 4.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per contest. He has three 30-point and 10 20-point games in conference play this season.

Why it matters

Stirtz's selection to the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team recognizes his standout performance this year, leading Iowa to a 19-7 record. As the only player in the nation with 530+ points, 120+ assists, 65 rebounds, 60 3-pointers, and 35+ steals, Stirtz is on track to become the first Hawkeye in 26 years to lead his team in points, assists, and steals.

The details

Stirtz, a native of Liberty, Missouri, is second in the Big Ten in scoring during conference games with 23.4 points per contest. He is also averaging 3.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per Big Ten game, while shooting 51.5% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range, and 83.8% from the free throw line. In Iowa's win over Northwestern on Feb. 8, Stirtz scored a career-high 36 points, the most by a Hawkeye since Luka Garza in 2021 and tied for the fourth-most points in Carver-Hawkeye Arena history.

  • Stirtz was named to the 2026 Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Late-Season Team on February 20, 2026.
  • In Iowa's win over Northwestern on February 8, 2026, Stirtz scored a career-high 36 points.

The players

Bennett Stirtz

A senior guard for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Stirtz is third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 20.5 points per game, and also contributes 4.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per contest.

Luka Garza

A former Hawkeye player who scored 36 points in a game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, a mark that Stirtz has now tied.

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What they’re saying

“Stirtz, who has also been named to the Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 and to the Bob Cousy Point of the Year Midseason Top 10, is third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 20.5 points to go along with 4.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in leading Iowa to a 19-7 overall record.”

— Clayton Wollner, Sports Writer (kjan.com)

What’s next

Iowa returns to action on Sunday, traveling to Madison to face No. 24/25 Wisconsin at 3 p.m. (CT) from the Kohl Center. The game will be televised on FS1.

The takeaway

Bennett Stirtz's selection to the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team is a testament to his outstanding individual performance this season, as he looks to become the first Hawkeye in 26 years to lead his team in points, assists, and steals. His ability to stuff the stat sheet and lead Iowa to a 19-7 record has him on the short list for national player of the year honors.