In the Big Ten’s annual All-Conference honors announcement on the morning of Tuesday, March 3, Iowa women’s basketball sophomore center Ava Heiden earned a First Team All-Big Ten distinction by both the collection of coaches and media for her outstanding 2025-26 campaign with the Hawkeyes.
For Heiden, it’s the first All-Big Ten honor of her career, as she has quickly cemented her status as one of the best centers in the league and possibly nationwide this season.
Heiden leads the Hawkeyes this season in points per game (17.6), field goal percentage (65.1%), and double-doubles (9). Additionally, her field goal percentage ranks fourth nationally and second in the Big Ten, and boasts the best points per game improvement over the last two seasons amongst all power players.
Our B1G is B1G Time 😎@ava_heiden is a first team All-B1G honoree! pic.twitter.com/m0ZbnJjrmR
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 3, 2026
In her 29 games started and played this season, Heiden has also forced 60 turnovers, including 36 steals and 32 blocks, as the Hawkeyes’ primary rim defender.
She has also collected several in-season conference honors, including Big Ten Player of the Week three times and, most recently, a Big Ten Honor Roll mention on March 2. Iowa starts their post season run Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Women’s Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Possible opponents are Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan State.
