Iowa’s perfect start to the season continues to pay off, and this week, sophomore center Ava Heiden added a significant one to her expanding resume. The 6-foot-4 Sherwood, Oregon native was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for the first time in her young career after leading the Hawkeyes to thrilling victories over Baylor and Miami. This is Iowa’s first Big Ten Player of the Week award since Lucy Olsen received it on February 3, 2025.
Although Heiden has been preparing for this kind of moment since the beginning of the season, her performances in the last week seem to be the real revelation of a rising star. Last Thursday, Iowa, now 6-0, defeated No. 10 Baylor in its first ranked game of the year thanks to her poise and consistency. Heiden recorded her third double-double of the season in that game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. She also completed the task efficiently, making four of her five free throws and seven of her fourteen field goals.
Both ends of the floor felt her impact. She supplied a steady bucket whenever Iowa needed one. Whether he was setting up a teammate, finishing through contact, or pulling down a contested board, Heiden always managed to thwart Baylor’s momentum swing. It was more than just a statistical performance; you could sense her presence controlling the game’s mood. Miami followed.
Heiden’s performance against the Hurricanes demonstrated her absolute dominance, while the Baylor game demonstrated her steadiness. She shot an astounding 9-for-11 from the field, added six rebounds, and scored 20 points—just one point short of her career high. Her perfect 9-for-9 start to the first three quarters, which helped Iowa win the WBCA Showcase Championship, attracted even more attention.
The ease with which Heiden has entered the limelight is especially remarkable. You would anticipate a young center to exhibit hesitancy or inconsistency given how much defensive attention Iowa has received this season. Rather, Heiden appears to be growing more assured in her ability to finish around the rim, her footwork, and her reading. She’s turning into a matchup nightmare because she’s too powerful for smaller defenders and too adept and agile for larger ones.
Heiden leads Iowa in almost every significant frontcourt category through the team’s first six games. She averages 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and her 63% field goal percentage puts her in 21st place nationally. This efficiency rating is a testament to her refined offensive arsenal and astute shot selection. Although Iowa anticipated that she would be a key member of this team, her current trajectory indicates that she is rapidly emerging as one of the conference’s most dependable inside presences.
Her ascent is further solidified by this week’s Big Ten honor. Additionally, it comes at a crucial moment for the Hawkeyes. Since the previous season, Iowa’s roster has undergone significant changes, and the team has been attempting to establish a new identity and rhythm. A reliable interior scorer, a force on the glass, and a player who is proving capable of anchoring the team in high-pressure games, Heiden’s rise has given coaches the stability they long for. A season can be shaped by the momentum she’s had lately.
Heiden and the Hawkeyes will next play the unbeaten Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-0) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. On Wednesday, November 26, the game begins at 6:30 p.m. CT and will only be available to stream on B1G+. Heiden is playing some of her best basketball to date, and Iowa’s confidence is growing. The Hawkeyes will try to maintain their winning streak before moving further into the nonconference schedule.
Heiden’s weekly honor adds yet another plot point to a season already full of intrigue. The show has been making headlines lately, from its breakout performers to its rise in national polls. Whether it’s their victory over Baylor, their widespread recognition, or Heiden’s rise to prominence, Iowa consistently manages to maintain its prominence. And that spotlight will only get brighter if the last week is any guide.
