Drake University’s men’s basketball program has secured its first commitment since the appointment of Ben McCollum as head coach.
Former Northwest Missouri State guard Bennett Stirtz has decided to continue his collegiate career at Drake, following his former coach to Des Moines. Stirtz, who spent two seasons with the Bearcats, made the announcement on social media.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Stirtz made a notable impact during his time at Northwest Missouri State. In his freshman year, he was honored as the MIAA Freshman of the Year and continued to excel, earning second-team honors for the 2023-24 season.
During his sophomore campaign, Stirtz showcased his versatility on the court by starting in all 34 games. He emerged as a key contributor for the Bearcats, ranking second on the team in both scoring and assists. With an average of 15.2 points and 3.5 assists per game, Stirtz also demonstrated his defensive prowess by leading the team with 47 steals. Additionally, he contributed 3.5 rebounds per game while maintaining an impressive shooting percentage of 51% from the field.
As a Liberty, Missouri native, Stirtz’s decision to join Drake marks the first player commitment to the program since Darian DeVries departed for West Virginia and Ben McCollum assumed the role of head coach.
Photo credit – X / @bennett_stirtz
