Last season for the Iowa Hawkeyes, then-freshman Ava Heiden averaged close to 10 minutes per game, scoring 5.0 points and grabbing 2.6 rebounds.
After the regular season ended, Heiden's minutes increased in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament as she became an irreplaceable player off the bench.
She recorded three straight double-digit scoring games in the NCAA Tournament, including a 15-point and seven-rebound game against Murray State in the opening round game.
After her 15-point outburst, she became the first freshman since 2009 to record 15-plus points in an NCAA Tournament game.
Before the start of this season, Heiden was the projected starting center with Hannah Stuelke moving back to her more natural forward position, and she has taken full advantage of her expanded role.
Heiden was named an early breakout star
CBS Sports writer Isabel Gonzalez named Heiden an early breakout star after the first four games of the season.
In her article, Gonzalez named Heiden an early breakout star because she has taken advantage of her expanded role this season and has been an efficient scorer for the Hawkeyes.
Heiden is averaging a near-double-double with 14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, and she is shooting 60 percent from the field.
The No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes have surprised a few people to start the season, soaring into the top 20 in the AP Top 25 poll, but they have not faced a ranked team yet.
That will change on Thursday night as No. 19 Iowa takes on No. 9 Baylor in the WBCA Showcase tournament in Orlando, Florida.
This will be Iowa's first big test of the season, and will give Heiden and the Hawkeyes a chance to showcase their abilities on a bigger stage.