Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Bennett Stirtz will tip off his career in the NBA with a familiar jersey number after wearing it at each stop of his basketball journey.
Stirtz wore No. 14 at Liberty High School in Missouri, where he was coached by his father, Roger. He kept it throughout his collegiate career at Northwest Missouri State, Drake and Iowa, helping the Hawkeyes advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.
The 16th overall pick honored each of those teams on draft night, with their logos inside a custom-made tan suit. He also wore a No. 14 lapel pin, the number he'll continue wearing next season with the Thunder.
Bennett in blue 🧵 pic.twitter.com/D9U3w9VuXG
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 27, 2026
Stirtz was an Associated Press honorable mention All-American, averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 35.8% from 3-point range. He was the only player in the country to have at least 730 points, 160 assists, 95 rebounds, 90 3s and 50 steals.
The 22-year-old debuted with the Thunder in summer league, averaging 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds and one steal while shooting 45% from the field in five games. He finished in double figures four times, including a 22-point outing on July 14.
Stirtz was among three draft picks for the Thunder this year, joining Aday Mara (No. 12 overall) and Otega Oweh (No. 41). The organization was ecstatic to add each player and is eager to see them take the court next season as it looks for another deep playoff run.
Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA
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This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Thunder rookie Bennett Stirtz chooses familiar jersey number in NBA