The 2026 NBA draft is nearly here, and three in-state college players from Iowa hope to hear their names called. Bennett Stirtz, a guard from the University of Iowa, could be a first-round selection, as could Joshua Jefferson, a forward from Iowa State University. Fellow former Cyclone Tamin Lipsey will be in the mix in the second round.

Player Projections

Bennett Stirtz enters the draft after a four-year college career that saw him start at Division II Northwest Missouri State before following his head coach to Drake and finally to Iowa. He earned All-Big Ten honors as a senior, averaging 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game. Stirtz is likely to go in the first round, but his destination is a mystery. Most mock drafts project him to go in the back half of the round, which could be a blessing in disguise since most of those picks belong to playoff teams.

Joshua Jefferson’s two-year stint at Iowa State ended with consensus All-America honors. He starred for the Cyclones throughout 2025-26, averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Jefferson propelled himself into the first-round conversation with his strong senior year, but he may slide to Wednesday’s second round.

Tamin Lipsey, a guard from Iowa State, has been in and out of mock drafts this cycle and could find his way into the league as an undrafted free agent if he doesn’t hear his name called. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has Lipsey rated as the No. 57 overall player in the class. CBS lists Lipsey No. 61 and ESPN ranks him No. 74.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.