The 2026 Big Ten Basketball Media Days have passed, signaling that the Hawkeye women will take the court very soon.
Head coach Jan Jensen, along with players Chit-Chat Wright and Ava Heiden, represented the program in Rosemont, Illinois, to share their optimism for next season. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Heiden became a force for the Hawkeyes last season and is now one of the program's leaders. Despite a spectacular 2025-2026 campaign, Big Ten coaches disrespected her by not naming her a unanimous preseason All-Big Ten selection, but Heiden couldn't care less.
Heiden 'doesn't care' that she wasn't a unanimous preseason All-Big Ten selection
Although the 2025-2026 season ended before everyone expected, the Hawkeyes still had a solid season. The program finished 27-7 (15-3 Big Ten) and as the runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament before being eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, and Heiden was a big part of that. Now in her third season with the program, Heiden isn't focused on recognition, and she couldn't care less whether she wins every award or none at all.
Ava Heiden isn't too worried about not being a unanimous preseason All-Big Ten pick by the coaches.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) October 9, 2026
"I don't really care. Those awards...they come and go"
However, her breakout season has put her firmly on the national radar.
STORY🏀: https://t.co/12gKpbVjUN pic.twitter.com/5TnkJymqEf
When asked about not being named a unanimous All-Big Ten selection, Heiden stated that she doesn't care because those awards come and go. She also said you get awards when you're playing well and then get nothing when you're struggling, and that recognition isn't what she is focused on. She's focused on improving and remaining the go-to player for the team that she was last year. After opening eyes as a freshman, she wasn't buried on the scouting report last season and often had to deal with opponents focusing on her. When she was pushed out of the paint, she struggled, and she isn't letting that happen this year.
If Heiden didn't already scare opponents, she will now. At Big Ten Media Days, Heiden said she is adding more tools to her arsenal, including a face-up game and a more consistent mid-range jump shot. She said she isn't completely abandoning her post game, but adding more weapons to her arsenal will make her a more well-rounded player. Heiden has worked hard to get to where she is, and although one Big Ten coach apparently doesn't think so, Heiden is one of the most dangerous centers in the Big Ten.
She is a dominant force in the paint and in transition, with her ability to run the court and finish at the rim. Her work ethic is admirable, and though she will never admit it publicly, the one coach who didn't vote for her as a preseason All-Big Ten selection will regret it. Over Iowa's final 10 games, Heiden averaged 21.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 66.7 percent from the field, and if she can get close to that again this season, the Hawkeyes will be in great shape. Iowa added weapons in the offseason after losing nine players from last year, but Heiden stuck around andcould have another breakout season in 2026.
Dobubt Heiden at your own peril!
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