How KC native Bennett Stirtz fared in NBA Summer League debut with OKC in SLC
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Thunder lost 111-74 to the Grizzlies in Salt Lake City Summer League opener.
- Rookie Bennett Stirtz scored 10 points with three rebounds, four assists and three steals.
- Stirtz played 24 minutes, hitting three of six shots and making two 3-pointers.
Members of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA Summer League team got pummeled by their Memphis Grizzlies’ counterparts on Saturday evening, falling 111-74 in an opening game in Salt Lake City.
The Grizzlies imposed their will from the opening tip. Memphis played tenacious defense, forced turnovers and dominated the glass.
The Thunder was outmatched by a Memphis team that features multiple second- and third-year pros who have played (or will play) significant minutes.
One of the bright spots for Oklahoma City was rookie guard Bennett Stirtz, whom the Thunder selected with the 16th overall pick in the recent draft — after giving up two second-round picks and making a pick-swap with the Grizzlies to do so.
Stirz, a native of Liberty, arrives in the pros after a stellar season at the University of Iowa, where he averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field and 35.7% from 3-point range.
In his quasi-NBA debut, Stirtz picked up where he left off in Iowa City, finishing the contest with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in 24 minutes of action.
The rookie lived off the pick-and-roll and made quick decisions off the bounce. He found fellow rookie Aday Mara on pocket passes that led to buckets or kickouts to open shooters.
Stirtz balanced his playmaking with efficient scoring, making three of his six shot attempts. He countered Memphis’ aggressive defense with pace, using his defender’s momentum against the Grizzlies to get into the paint and create for himself and others.
Early in the first quarter, Stirtz highlighted his off-ball repertoire and spatial awareness in drifting to the left wing for an open 3-pointer — his first of two makes Saturday.
Stirtz is not known so much for his defense, but throughout the game, he matched the Grizzlies’ intensity. The guard fought around screens, chasing ball-handlers as they ran their actions, and was active in passing lanes to disrupt Memphis’ offense.
Ultimately, his play wasn’t enough to get his team the summertime win, but he showed poise and a strong command of the game. He displayed the type of skills — shooting, ball-handling and playmaking — the Thunder will need off the bench as they pursue the second championship of the Shai Gilgeous Alexander era.
Cameron Boozer, the Grizzlies’ third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, also had a strong showing, finishing Saturday’s game with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.