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Keaton Wagler thinks OKC Thunder took the most underrated player in 2026 NBA draft
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- Keaton Wagler thinks OKC Thunder took the most underrated player in 2026 NBA draft
The first round of the 2026 NBA draft commenced with only a few surprises. The first five picks went exactly as most experts projected, including Keaton Wagler being chosen by the Los Angeles Clippers after the Big 4 got their names called.
Speaking of surprises, Wagler got something of his own shortly after hearing Adam Silver announce his name. During his post-draft media availability, the Illinois product was asked to identify the most underrated player in the draft. His answer is, well, as unexpected as it could be.
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Wagler gives Bennett Stirtz his flowers
When the term "underrated" is thrown around, it usually refers to a player whose value is being overlooked because of the perceived flaws in his game.
Wagler's answer is a little different. Instead of pointing to a prospect whose stock may have been hurt by concerns about his game, he singled out Bennett Stirtz, a player who had already established himself as one of the most productive guards in college basketball. The problem was that Stirtz's production flew under the radar, at least in the eyes of many casuals.
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"A lot of people don't know how good of a player he is," Wagler told Basketball Network. "I played against him twice in college this year , and he was really good both times. (He) gave us problems, and he did that all year."
Wagler's Fighting Illini met Stirtz's Iowa Hawkeyes twice, and Illinois emerged victorious both times. However, Stirtz stood out, especially in the second meeting at the Elite Eight, dropping a team-high 24 points. Throughout the 2025-26 season, Stirtz averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists on 48/36/85 shooting splits.
Apparently, the 6'3" guard's play also did not escape the Oklahoma City Thunder . The 2025 NBA champs snagged Stirtz with the 16th pick, trading up one slot plus two first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies .
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The move speaks volumes about how the Thunder viewed him. General manager Sam Presti has built a reputation for targeting smart, versatile players who can thrive within a team concept. Stirz may not have eye-popping athleticism, but he has a polished jumper and a knack for making the right play.
Those traits have become staples of the Thunder's roster construction, and Stirtz definitely checks a lot of those boxes.
The rich getting richer?
Once again, Presti exhibited a master class in drafting and asset management. He did not leave anything to chance. Armed with one of the deepest collections of draft capital, the Thunder executive used part of that stockpile to sweeten the deal and move up for the player he wanted.
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The move also reflects a broader philosophy that has defined the Thunder's rise. Presti never hoarded draft picks just for the sake of it. He used them as tools to facilitate trades, or, in this case, to secure a player the organization believes fits its style and culture.
Time will tell whether Stirtz justifies the price OKC paid for him. But between the Thunder's track record and the words of someone who battled him twice in college, it's not hard to see why Presti was unwilling to risk missing out on him.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
