Iowa sophomore center Ava Heiden has had one heck of a week!
During Iowa's two games at the WBCA Showcase in Orlando, Heiden averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds and was named the MVP of the tournament.
Heiden and the Hawkeyes are red-hot to start the season, winning all six games, and excelling at both ends of the floor.
Iowa Head Coach Jan Jensen has also been a proponent of solid post play, and the Hawkeyes are showcasing that this season.
Heiden (15.8 points, 8.8 rebounds) and Hannah Stuelke (12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds) are dominating opponents in the paint, with freshman Layla Hays also providing solid minutes off the bench.
Iowa is working the ball into the post early and often, which has led to a high field-goal percentage to start the season.
As a team, the Hawkeyes are shooting 49.2 percent from the field, led by the dynamic duo of Heiden and Stuelke inside.
After another solid week of play, Heiden added some hardware to her trophy case.
B1G Week. B1G Reward. @ava_heiden is the @B1Gwbball Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/mpfoVMXVez
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) November 24, 2025
Heiden took home Big Ten Player of the Week honors following a strong weekend of play in Orlando.
Through six games this season, Heiden is leading the Hawkeyes in points (15.8), rebounds (8.8), and field goal percentage (63.3 percent), while ranking third on the team in minutes per game (24.0).
Heiden was tabbed as a potential breakout star by CBS Sports writer Isabel Gonzalez after her torrid start to the season, and she showcased her ability to play against better competition last weekend.