The Iowa Women’s Basketball coaching staff received some big news yesterday afternoon when 2024 class 6’4 center Ava Heiden of Sherwood High School in Sherwood, Oregon announced her commitment to the Hawkeyes.
Assistant coach Jan Jensen is widely regarded as one of the best post coaches in the country. Her reaction to her Twitter commitment showed just how big it was.
Hayden is rated as the #4 center and #42 overall recruit in the class by ESPN. Ava tells me that her three schools in Oregon, Utah, and Washington are the schools she’s been seriously considering outside of Iowa. She kept the offer and her visit fairly quiet, though it was also reported that she visited Portland and Gonzaga.
After visiting Iowa City in early August, she said of her trip: They spent a lot of time showing us their beautiful campuses/academics/facilities in Iowa, for which we are deeply grateful.
As a sophomore, Hayden averaged 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 assists per game for the Sherwood Bowmen team last season. They fell to the No. 2 seed Jesuits. She was named Pacific Her Conference Player of the Year.
Cody Stensrud of Prep Girls Hoops said of her game:
“One of the tallest girls in the class, Heiden has a great presence for her age. Ava is tall and has a good physique and looks like she will be a mainstay for the coming season.”
We met with Sherwood’s next juniors and discussed initiatives for Iowa.
Q: What made Iowa the clear choice when visiting Iowa City?
Hayden: Everything about Iowa was great. The people, the basketball program and its values, and the academics were great. The Iowa feel was right.
Q: I believe you had to watch a practice during your visit. What stood out about that experience?
Hayden: Iowa has always utilized the post when playing, and the post was not just returned to basketball players. They set screens, hit threes and moved quickly around the court. That’s how I love to play.
Q: What is your relationship with coach Lisa Bruder and the rest of the coaching staff?
Hayden: They are the nicest people I could ever mentor, and they and the team feel like family.
Q: Coach Jan Jensen is known as one of the best post coaches in the country. Megan Gustafson and Monika Czinano are recent success stories. To what extent did it factor into your decision?
Hayden: huge amount. I want to be utilized when I play, and I want to reach my full potential, and Yang is the person who helps me do that. Plus, Jean is just an amazing person and if I were to have someone by her side 24/7, I’d love to be her.
Q: How does the coaching staff think you fit into their style of play?
Hayden: I will be a versatile player who can play both the 4th and 5th spots, as well as face up.
Q: What does it mean to you to commit to a school with the fan support that the Iowa WBB has?
Hayden: It’s very exciting. The people of Iowa are wonderful and big supporters of all Iowa sports. In fact, a lot of Iowa Hawkeye fans followed me after I committed. The fact that these people are so supportive and welcoming means the world to me.
Q: What do you think are the strengths of your game? What areas would you like to improve in the future?
Hayden: My game strengths are post skills and transition games. I’m currently working on a three-point shooter and a face-up game.
