ESPN Mock Draft: Pistons Projected to Select Bennett Stirtz

Why it matters locally: The mock draft projects the Pistons to select Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz, while also including predictions for three players from the University of Michigan in the lottery: Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson Jr. Former Michigan player Tarris Reed Jr. is also projected to be drafted.

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The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 in Game 4, putting the Pistons on the brink of elimination from the first round. ESPN's latest mock draft, released Tuesday, projects the Pistons to select Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz with the 21st overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Stirtz, a 6-foot-4 senior, averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game for Iowa, earning All-Big Ten second-team honors. He shot 35.8% from three-point range. Other notable projections in the mock draft include Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. at No. 5 to the Sacramento Kings, and three players from the University of Michigan in the lottery: Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 12, Oklahoma City Thunder), Aday Mara (No. 14, Charlotte Hornets), and Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 20, San Antonio Spurs). UConn's Tarris Reed Jr., formerly of Michigan, is projected to be drafted 41st overall by the Miami Heat.