April 27, 2025

Sturtz Works

Newton’s Sturtz sets new benchmark for rebounding at Drake

By Troy Hyde

Newton native and Drake graduate senior Garrett Sturtz (3) boxes out at the defensive end of the floor against Northern Iowa on Feb. 1. Sturtz became the all-time leading rebounder at the school recently and posted a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double one game later. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)

DES MOINES — It was only fitting that Garrett Sturtz grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds one game after setting the all-time rebounding record for the Drake men’s basketball team.

As soon as Sturtz stepped on campus, he knew rebounding at a high level would help get him on the floor quicker.

“When I came to college I figured out that one way to get on the floor was to rebound,” Sturtz said. “I fell in love with it. I couldn’t have imagined five years ago that I would have this record though.”

Newton native and Drake graduate senior Garrett Sturtz, left, forces a jump ball against Northern Iowa at the Knapp Center on Feb. 1. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)

Many would agree with him. Sturtz came to Drake as the most prolific scorer in Newton High School history.

He holds school records at Newton for career points (1,746), points in a season (764) and points in a game (56). Eight of the top 10 highest single-game point totals were scored by Sturtz, too.

Sturtz also holds Newton school records in career free throws made and attempted, career free-throw percentage, career assists and career steals.

What he doesn’t hold the school record in at Newton is career rebounds. He is only 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds after all.

“He’s a unique individual who has an incredible knack at pursuing the ball,” Drake head men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries said. “He’s a tremendous competitor with a lot of desire, which allows him to want to do that so well. It’s not something you can teach. Not everyone has it, but that’s how a 6-3 player with medium jumping ability can get this record. It’s all will and desire.”

Newton native and Drake graduate senior Garrett Sturtz battles for a loose ball against Northern Iowa at the Knapp Center on Feb. 1. The Bulldogs won the game in double overtime and Sturtz posted a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double just one game after becoming the school's all-time leading rebounder. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)

Sturtz set Drake’s all-time rebounding record during a road game at Belmont. He was recognized as the record holder in front of a sell-out crowd before the Bulldogs hosted instate rival Northern Iowa at the Knapp Center on Feb. 1.

That contest needed double overtime and Sturtz posted a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double in 42 minutes and 30 seconds of court time.

The Newton native registered another double-double two games later and now has 886 career rebounds. The previous record holder was Melvin Mathis, a 6-7, 225-pound forward who grabbed 854 boards in 110 games from 1982-1986.

“Coach tells me to go and clean the glass. So I try to do that every night,” Sturtz said. “The team needs me to rebound. That’s my role. If that helps us win, that’s what I am going to do.

“It took me five years to get (the record) so I don’t know if that counts at all. It’s so surreal though. I can’t imagine it.”

Newton native Garrett Sturtz, left, penetrates to the lane against Northern Iowa at the Knapp Center on Feb. 1. Sturtz, playing in his final season at Drake, became the school's all-time leading rebounder in a game at Belmont in late January. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)

Sturtz came to Drake as a walk-on for previous head coach Nico Medved and his staff. He stayed on to play for Coach DeVries and wouldn’t change a single thing about his career path.

“Drake University means the world to me. I get emotional talking about it,” Sturtz said. “When DeVries came I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I love how it turned out.”

Sturtz, a graduate player in his final season, has started all 26 games for the Bulldogs this winter. He’s posted seven double-doubles and recorded nine double-figure rebounding games.

He has 15 career double-doubles and 18 career double-figure rebounding games.

Newton native Garrett Sturtz celebrates Drake's men's basketball win over Northern Iowa on Feb. 1. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)

This season, Sturtz is averaging 9.2 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds per contest.

“He has a great feel on the defensive end for when he needs to hit and when he needs to release and go get it or pursue,” DeVries said. “He knows how to chase it down. He has a great feel for angles, too, which helps him with offensive rebounds.”

When DeVries accepted the head men’s basketball job at Drake, one of his first priorities was establishing a certain type of culture. And Sturtz set the tone early on.

“Garrett figured out early that he needed to find a way to get on the floor,” DeVries said. “Even as a walk-on, he was playing 20 minutes a night because he brought that value to our team. The rebounding wasn’t the only thing that stood out. He was competitive and he makes winning plays.”

Newton native and Drake senior Garrett Sturtz, right, was recognized with Drake head men's basketball coach Darian DeVries at the Knapp Center on Feb. 1 after setting the school record for career rebounds in the team's last game. Sturtz had 12 points and a season-high 13 rebounds in the team's double-overtime victory over conference rival Northern Iowa. (Troy Hyde/Newton News)

Drake is currently 20-6 overall and tied for first at 11-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Bulldogs have won nine of their past 10 games with four of those going to at least overtime.

It was games like the Northern Iowa contest that Sturtz grew up dreaming about playing in.

“This was a sold-out crowd against an instate rival,” Sturtz said. “That’s what you want, and it’s what I grew up watching on TV.”