Ava Heiden delivered the best news of the summer after a stunning admission

You'd be hard-pressed to find a player who made a bigger jump in women's college basketball last year than Iowa center Ava Heiden.

After playing sparingly during the regular season as a freshman, Jan Jensen couldn't take her out of the lineup in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments because of how effective she was when she was on the court. Now in her third season in the program, Heiden has become a veteran leader, and she wants to stick around even longer.

A recently passed NCAA eligibility rule is giving Heiden a chance to stay in Iowa City longer, and she wants to take full advantage. We have the important details of the new rule below:

Important information on the new 5-year eligibility rule

The NCAA Division I Cabinet reached a decision on a new eligibility rule that has been a major topic of discussion for a while. The Cabinet approved a new 5-year, age-based eligibility rule intended to eliminate the need for redshirts or waivers. After multiple athletes had sued the NCAA over eligibility, a change was needed.

The new 5-year, age-based model gives athletes five years when the eligibility clock starts, which is when they begin attending classes full-time, or beginning the academic year after they turn 19. Programs can decide which model to use during the 2025-2026 academic year, with the new rules taking full effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Heiden wants to stay in Iowa City for 3 more years, not just 2

With the new 5-year, age-based model taking effect, Heiden admitted she wants to use it to her advantage and stay in the program for another year.

Heiden told the Des Moines Register's Chad Leistikow that she wants to play for Jensen and the Hawkeyes for three more seasons, rather than two, after learning about the new eligibility rules, citing the desire to stay in great shape and play for a team and coaches she loves. Her admission is great news for Hawkeye fans, especially after the massive jump she made between her first and second seasons.

Between her freshman and sophomore seasons, Heiden increased her points per game average by 13 points (5.0 to 18.0), her rebounds per game average by nearly five (2.6 to 7.2), her steals per game by almost one (0.4 to 1.2), and her blocks per game by almost one (0.7 to 1.3). After going from a highly touted recruit to a sophomore sensation, Heiden is now one of the program's veteran leaders, and she is fully invested in helping the program.

Heiden is a perfect fit for Jensen's system, and she has the potential for an even bigger season this year in Iowa's new offensive system. Heiden and fellow post player Hannah Stuelke were Iowa's clear best two players last season, forcing Jensen to employ a two-big offensive system. With Stuelke now gone, Jensen is returning to a more familiar four-out one-in system to better utilize the talent on the current roster.

That makes Heiden the "one in," giving her the freedom to patrol the paint as the only post player down low. She can also get out and do what she does best, which is run the floor in transition and make plays at the rim. It wouldn't be a surprise if Heiden led the team in scoring, averaging a double-double per game as she leads the Hawkeyes back to the NCAA Tournament.

Having Heiden for at least two more seasons is great, but having her for three years is even better.

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