University of Iowa sophomore Ava Heiden has been named the Jersey Mike’s Naismith National Player of the Week. The announcement was made Monday after a week in which Heiden recorded three double-doubles and helped lead the Hawkeyes to victories against Nebraska, Purdue, and No. 6 Michigan.
Heiden averaged 24 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, two steals, and 1.6 blocks per game during this stretch, converting on 33 of her 44 field goal attempts.
In the matchup against Nebraska, Heiden matched her career-high with 27 points along with collecting 11 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while shooting 10-for-12 from the floor. She added another strong performance against Purdue with 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Facing sixth-ranked Michigan on Sunday, Heiden contributed her fourth career double-double with at least 20 points and her third such performance in one week as Iowa secured its seventh win over a ranked opponent this season.
Heiden is originally from Sherwood, Oregon. She currently ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage at 64 percent and is averaging 17.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season. She is the second Iowa player to earn Naismith National Player of the Week honors this year; Hannah Stuelke previously received the recognition.
Iowa will conclude its regular season home schedule on Thursday, February 26 when it hosts Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. Central Time tipoff and will be broadcast on BTN as well as the Hawkeye Radio Network.
