Des Moines, Iowa (RI) – Drake junior guard Bennett Stirtz has been named the winner of the Larry Bird Trophy as the Missouri Valley Conference Player-of-the-Year.
Stirtz is only the third player to lead the league in scoring, assists and steals in helping guide the Bulldogs to their first regular season title since 2019.
That’s Drake coach Ben McCollum who says his humility is what makes him the team leader.
It is the third-straight year a Drake player has won the award. Tucker DeVries claimed the honor in 2023 and 2024. The Bulldogs are 27-3 overall and open the Valley Tournament in St. Louis Friday afternoon against the winner of Thursday’s game between Southern Illinois and Indiana State.
McCollum was named the Valley Coach-of-the Year.
