Ava Heiden just can't be stopped!
After playing just under 10 minutes per game as a freshman last season, she has made the most of her opportunity to play an expanded role this season.
Through the first six games of the season, Heiden is leading the team in points (15.8) and rebounds (8.8) per game, and has solidified herself as one of the top options in the paint for the Hawkeyes.
After Saturday's 64-61 victory over Miami in the WBCA Showcase in Orlando, Heiden added some hardware to her shelf following her second straight stellar performance.
MOP ⭐️ @ava_heiden
— Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (@WBCA1981) November 23, 2025
20 PTS, 6 REBS#WBCAShowcase | @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/Uo6yeEl0N3
Heiden tallied 20 points and six rebounds in the victory, capping off a solid WBCA Showcase for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
In two games in Orlando, including an upset win over No. 7 Baylor on Friday night, Heiden averaged 19.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, earning her the Most Valuable Player award.
The Hawkeyes faced their first road test of the season against two tough opponents and kept their unbeaten streak going to start the season.
The No. 19 Hawkeyes are now 6-0 to start the season, and have a good chance to move on in the rankings after knocking off No. 7 Baylor.
Heiden and her talented duo of backcourt teammates, Hannah Stuelke and Layla Hays, have been dominant to start the season.
The Hawkeyes are outscoring their opponents by an average of 83.3 to 51, and they are outrebounding opponents by an average of 16.8 per game (51.6 to 36.0), largely due to the play of Hays, Heiden, and Stuelke.
The Hawkeyes head back to Iowa City for two home games against Western Illinois (Nov. 26) and Fairfield (Nov. 30) before heading to Piscataway, New Jersey, for their first Big Ten Conference game of the season.