Last Updated on October 12, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Bennett Stirtz is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Born on October 3, 2003, in Liberty, Missouri, Stirtz grew up in a close-knit family with a strong sporting background. His father, Roger Stirtz, is a former college basketball player and successful high school coach, while his mother, Renee Stirtz, was a collegiate track and field athlete at Kansas State University.
Beyond his basketball career, Bennett Stirtz’s family includes his wife, Taygen Stirtz, his parents, and three brothers named Mason, Caden, and Cooper. His upbringing in Missouri, surrounded by competitive siblings and supportive parents, helped shape the discipline and determination that eventually took him from NCAA Division II basketball to the NBA. Here is everything publicly known about Bennett Stirtz’s wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Bennett Stirtz’s Wife: Who Is Taygen Stirtz?
Bennett Stirtz is married to Taygen Stirtz, formerly known as Taygen Brown. The couple were high school sweethearts and maintained their relationship throughout Bennett’s college basketball career before getting married in the summer of 2026.
Taygen attended Kansas State University, where she was a member of the Wildcats’ dance team. Their relationship attracted attention in December 2024 when Bennett, then playing for Drake University, prepared to face Kansas State, a university with particularly strong connections to his family.
Despite attending different colleges, Bennett and Taygen maintained their relationship while he developed his basketball career at Northwest Missouri State, Drake University, and the University of Iowa.
On August 7, 2025, Bennett and Taygen announced their engagement through Instagram. The announcement received attention from college basketball publications, including Hawkeyes Wire, which highlighted their relationship dating back to high school.
The couple’s wedding website listed July 31, 2026, as their wedding date. Their marriage was subsequently confirmed in an August 6, 2026, report by OKC Thunder Wire, which noted that Taygen had shared news of their wedding on Instagram.
The wedding came during an important summer for Bennett, who had been selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft just weeks earlier.
As of now, Bennett Stirtz is married to Taygen Stirtz, and their relationship represents an important part of his life away from basketball.
Bennett Stirtz’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, there is no verified public information indicating that Bennett Stirtz has children. Neither Bennett nor his wife, Taygen, has publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter in the reliable sources reviewed.
The couple married in the summer of 2026, around the same time Bennett began preparing for his first NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Although the basketball player occasionally shares important personal milestones with the public, he generally maintains a relatively private family life. Details about any future plans to have children have not been publicly confirmed.
Bennett Stirtz’s Parents: Meet Roger and Renee Stirtz
Bennett Stirtz was born to Roger Stirtz and Renee Stirtz, two former collegiate athletes who later pursued careers in education. His parents raised their four sons in Liberty, Missouri, emphasizing athletics, education, hard work, and family values.
Both Roger and Renee have played important roles in Bennett’s basketball development, with Roger serving as his high school coach and Renee supporting his academic and sporting ambitions.
Bennett Stirtz’s Father: Roger Stirtz
Roger Stirtz is Bennett Stirtz’s father, a former college basketball player, teacher, and highly respected high school basketball coach.
Roger played collegiate basketball at Emporia State University in Kansas before pursuing a career in coaching and education. He subsequently became the head basketball coach at Liberty High School in Missouri, where he built a successful program over more than two decades.
During his coaching career, Roger recorded more than 400 victories and guided Liberty to a Missouri state championship in 2001. His accomplishments earned him recognition as a Missouri basketball coaching Hall of Famer.
One of the most meaningful experiences of Roger’s coaching career came when he had the opportunity to coach his own son, Bennett, at Liberty High School.
Under his father’s guidance, Bennett developed into one of Missouri’s standout high school basketball players, earning multiple All-State selections and demonstrating impressive court vision, shooting ability, and basketball intelligence.
Roger stepped down from his coaching position following Bennett’s senior season in 2022, allowing him more opportunities to follow his son’s college basketball journey.
Outside basketball, Roger enjoys cycling and outdoor activities. According to a June 2026 report by The Kansas City Star, he regularly participated in hiking, biking, and family adventures that helped his children develop physical endurance.
Roger has remained an important influence on Bennett’s basketball journey, providing encouragement as his son progressed from Northwest Missouri State to Drake, Iowa, and eventually the NBA.
Bennett Stirtz’s Mother: Renee Stirtz
Renee Stirtz is Bennett Stirtz’s mother, a former collegiate track and field athlete and educator.
Renee attended Kansas State University, where she competed in distance running and cross-country events during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Her athletic background contributed to the family’s active lifestyle. Together with Roger, Renee encouraged her sons to participate in sports, outdoor activities, and recreational competitions from an early age.
According to The Kansas City Star, Renee is also a teacher. She has spoken publicly about her son’s personality, emphasizing his willingness to learn from other people and his ability to build meaningful relationships wherever he goes.
Renee supported Bennett throughout his basketball career, including his transition from high school to Northwest Missouri State University.
When Bennett initially struggled with homesickness during his freshman year, he frequently returned to the family home in Liberty. Over time, he became more comfortable with college life and developed the independence necessary to succeed away from home.
Renee also attended major milestones in her son’s basketball career, including the period leading up to the 2026 NBA Draft.
Her influence, alongside Roger’s coaching background, helped create an environment that encouraged Bennett to remain humble, disciplined, and committed to personal improvement.
Bennett Stirtz’s Siblings: Meet His Three Brothers
Bennett Stirtz has three brothers named Mason Stirtz, Caden Stirtz, and Cooper Stirtz. He is the third of four sons born to Roger and Renee Stirtz, with two older brothers and one younger brother.
The four brothers grew up together in Liberty, Missouri, where sports formed an important part of their childhood. Their parents encouraged competitive activities, including basketball, football, cycling, and hiking.
Mason Stirtz – Bennett Stirtz’s Oldest Brother
Mason Stirtz is Bennett Stirtz’s oldest brother. He grew up in the same sports-oriented household and played an important role in the competitive family environment that influenced Bennett’s development.
According to a June 2026 family profile published by The Kansas City Star, Mason was 27 years old at the time of the report.
Mason attended Kansas State University, continuing the family’s long-standing connection to the university.
During their childhood, Mason frequently teamed up with his youngest brother, Cooper, when the four brothers played basketball together at home.
These informal competitions helped develop Bennett’s competitive instincts and encouraged the brothers to challenge one another.
Although Mason is part of Bennett’s extended support network, relatively little verified public information is available about his current professional activities.
Caden Stirtz – Bennett Stirtz’s Older Brother
Caden Stirtz is Bennett Stirtz’s second-oldest brother. He was identified as 25 years old in The Kansas City Star’s June 2026 report about the family.
Like Mason, Caden attended Kansas State University, strengthening the family’s connection to the Wildcats.
Caden has shared memories of growing up with his brothers, particularly their competitive basketball games.
He recalled that the four brothers regularly played with miniature basketball hoops inside the family home and sometimes broke the equipment because their games became so intense.
These childhood competitions helped create an environment where Bennett learned to compete against older and physically stronger opponents.
Caden also spoke about family vacations involving mountain climbing, hiking, and cycling, activities that encouraged all four brothers to remain physically active.
Although Caden has occasionally appeared in reports about Bennett’s basketball development, he generally maintains a private life outside the sports media spotlight.
Cooper Stirtz – Bennett Stirtz’s Younger Brother
Cooper Stirtz is Bennett Stirtz’s youngest brother and the youngest of Roger and Renee’s four sons.
According to The Kansas City Star, Cooper was 19 years old in June 2026.
Cooper grew up watching his older brothers compete in basketball and other sports. He frequently participated in family games, often partnering with Mason against Bennett and Caden.
His relationship with Bennett has remained close as the basketball player’s career has developed.
In March 2026, Cooper and his father visited Bennett in Iowa City following a game against Michigan. According to The Kansas City Star, the three worked together to repair a problem with Bennett’s car, demonstrating their practical and supportive family relationship.
Cooper has generally remained outside the public spotlight, and detailed information about his current education or career is not widely documented.
How Bennett Stirtz’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Bennett Stirtz’s family played a central role in his journey from an overlooked high school prospect to a first-round NBA Draft selection.
Growing up under the guidance of his father, Roger, Bennett developed a strong understanding of basketball fundamentals. At Liberty High School, Roger helped him improve his shooting, decision-making, leadership, and defensive awareness.
His mother, Renee, contributed by encouraging physical fitness, education, and personal responsibility. Family hikes and outdoor activities also helped Bennett build the endurance that became one of his distinguishing characteristics during college basketball.
After leaving Liberty High School, Bennett began his college career at Northwest Missouri State University, an NCAA Division II program. He later followed coach Ben McCollum to Drake University, where he became the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2025.
Stirtz subsequently transferred to the University of Iowa for the 2025–26 season, earning All-Big Ten recognition and helping the Hawkeyes reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
On June 23, 2026, he was selected with the 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Throughout his progression, Bennett maintained close connections with his parents, brothers, and longtime partner Taygen, whom he married shortly after entering the NBA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bennett Stirtz’s Family
Who is Bennett Stirtz’s girlfriend?
Bennett Stirtz’s longtime girlfriend was Taygen Brown, a former Kansas State University dance team member. The couple became engaged in August 2025 and married in the summer of 2026. She is now known as Taygen Stirtz.
Is Bennett Stirtz married?
Yes. Bennett Stirtz married his high school sweetheart, Taygen Brown, in the summer of 2026. Their wedding website listed July 31, 2026, as the wedding date, and their marriage was confirmed by OKC Thunder Wire in August 2026.
Does Bennett Stirtz have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Bennett Stirtz has any children.
Who are Bennett Stirtz’s parents?
Bennett Stirtz’s parents are Roger Stirtz, a former college basketball player and high school coach, and Renee Stirtz, a former Kansas State track and field athlete and teacher.
How many siblings does Bennett Stirtz have?
Bennett Stirtz has three siblings, all brothers. Their names are Mason Stirtz, Caden Stirtz, and Cooper Stirtz.
Does Bennett Stirtz have a sister?
No sisters are identified in his official college basketball biography. The University of Iowa lists three brothers: Mason, Caden, and Cooper.
Where is Bennett Stirtz’s family from?
Bennett Stirtz grew up in Liberty, Missouri, near Kansas City. His parents also have strong ties to Kansas, particularly Kansas State University and Emporia State University.
Did Bennett Stirtz’s father coach him?
Yes. Bennett was coached by his father, Roger Stirtz, at Liberty High School. Roger was a longtime basketball coach who won more than 400 games during his coaching career.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
