B1G Week. B1G Reward: Ava Heiden Wins the Big Ten Player of the Week Award Last week, Ava Heiden took over rather than just showing up. Heiden carved out her own niche and demonstrated that she belongs among the Big Ten’s rising stars in a conference where every possession feels like a heavyweight punch and every matchup threatens to derail momentum. Her most recent honor being named the Big Ten Player of the Week feels more like a long-overdue tribute to a player who is continuously raising the bar than a surprise.
If you’ve recently watched Iowa play, you’ve undoubtedly noticed how Heiden’s entry into the paint changes the energy on the floor. She doesn’t have to be loud about it, and she isn’t. Her presence suffices. She possesses the unique combination of size, patience, and instinct; she can read defenses as if she were studying a map that she has already committed to memory. As opponents fall on her, a shooter appears out of nowhere in the corner. She will punish you on the block if you play her straight up. Anyone attempting to slow her down is in a lose-lose situation.
However, Heiden went above and beyond efficiency and fundamentals last week. She played with something extra, a quiet edge combined with poise. She set the tone whether she was sprinting the floor in transition, battling through contact, or sealing her defender just long enough for a flawless entry pass. People also take notice when a player starts to set the tone in the Big Ten.
Heiden’s ability to turn minor advantages into significant moments is what makes her game stand out the most. A timed cut turns into a and-one. A subtle shoulder fake makes room where none previously existed. Her screens are purposefully angled to force defenders into unrecoverable half-steps. Heiden has done just that. The best players inspire their teammates without requiring attention.
Naturally, the fact that she enjoys the rhythm of Iowa is helpful. Ball movement, spacing, and a readiness to have faith in the next pass have all been key components of the Hawkeyes’ success. Heiden is a perfect fit for that identity. The offense doesn’t stop when she touches the ball; rather, it intensifies. That’s uncommon for a young interior player, and it’s part of what makes her rise so intriguing.
At times, awards such as this one can seem symbolic, more like markers of potential than completed goods. Heiden’s situation is a combination of the two. The potential is clear. It’s evident in how she handles mismatches, how confidently she finishes around the rim, and how quickly she’s becoming more at ease. However, the production? Games are already changing as a result of that.
Seeing a player accomplish something similar without theatrics is also encouraging. Heiden is seen holding a finger to her lips in the picture that goes with the announcement; it’s a playful, self-assured gesture that perfectly conveys her personality. She’s not requesting attention; rather, she’s giving performances that demand it.
It’s tough in the Big Ten. Teams are worn out, vulnerabilities are revealed, and only the most tenacious rivals are rewarded. It says a lot about Heiden’s development that she overcame the commotion and the bruises to win Player of the Week. She’s just getting started, if this past week is any guide. And before she turns a single breakout week into a season full of them, the rest of the conference might want to pay attention.
