Ava Heiden is making waves in the world of college basketball, and it's not hard to see why. Her transformation from a promising freshman to a standout sophomore has been nothing short of remarkable, establishing her as Iowa's top player.
Last season, Heiden's journey began with limited minutes, but she quickly became a key player during the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments. Even though Iowa didn't achieve all their postseason goals, Heiden consistently shone as the standout performer on the court.
In her freshman year, she averaged 5.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in just under 10 minutes per game. Fast forward to this season, and Heiden has started every game, capturing national attention with her impressive performances.
Her stats speak volumes: 25.2 minutes per game, 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks, and a 63.6% field goal percentage. These career-high numbers have earned her a spot on the Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Late Season Team, a testament to her growth and impact.
Heiden's consistency is evident, having scored in double figures in 22 of 25 games and securing six double-doubles. Her latest standout performance came against Nebraska, where she posted 27 points and 11 rebounds, leading Iowa to victory.
With Heiden at the helm, Iowa's success this season is closely tied to her dominance in the paint. As the Hawkeyes look to make a deep run, they'll rely heavily on her continued excellence on the court.