Ava Heiden’s quick climb is sweet music to Hannah Stuelke, too

IOWA CITY — Jan Jensen called it a “million-dollar question.”

It had a simple answer: Ava Heiden.

Jensen confirmed Thursday during the University of Iowa women’s basketball media day that the freshman from Oregon has worked her way to the top of the depth chart among the Hawkeyes’ posts.

“Ava has started to separate herself from (veterans Addison O’Grady and A.J. Ediger),” Jensen said. “I expect Addi to play a big role.”

Heiden’s eyes widened when Jensen’s remarks were filtered to her:

“She said that?”

Then she continued:

“I trust Coach. I’m going to work hard for her and have fun doing it.”

A 6-foot-4 post and the No. 36 overall incoming freshman (according to ESPN), Heiden averaged 17.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game for Sherwood (Ore.) High School.

She is the first Oregonian to play for the Hawkeyes, and it comes at a good time. Iowa will play at Big Ten newcomer Oregon on Jan. 19 as part of a swing to the Pacific Northwest.

Sherwood is 100 miles north of Eugene.

Heiden’s emergence takes a load off junior Hannah Stuelke, who will spend a good amount of her minutes at her natural power-forward position.

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“It’s exciting,” the Cedar Rapids native said. “I’ve been playing a lot of 4, but still some 5.

“I’m versatile. I will do what the team needs me to do.”

Jensen called Stuelke “a tremendous power forward, and as she showed, she’s a tremendous center.

“We knew having her at the ‘5’ would only be difficult when we faced a team with tremendous size, and that was evidenced against South Carolina.

“The hand we played last year was the correct hand, and I’ll stand by that forever.”

Heiden headlines a potential-rich freshman class.

Aaliyah Guyton, Teagan Mallegni and Taylor Stremlow are top-100 prospects, and Solon native Callie Levin was Miss Iowa Basketball 2024.

The victim of an ACL tear last year, Guyton — from Peoria, Ill. — hasn’t begun to practice yet, but “once she’s back, she’ll be slotted as a backup to Lucy (Olsen),” according to Jensen.

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Mallegni and Stremlow both hail from suburban Madison, Wis.

“Teagan is a versatile big forward who can post up a little and has a great outside shot,” Jensen said. “Taylor is crafty and edgy, willing to take a little risk.”

Levin beamed during on-court interviews.

“It’s so surreal. I committed a long time ago, and I’m grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “Now I’m a little fish in a big sea. I’m going to do what I can. I’m ready to be a role player, wherever Coach needs me.”

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Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com