Ava Heiden Preparing for Hawkeye Future

Iowa Basketball Commitment No. 36 Nationally in ESPN's 2024 Rankings

You could hear the relief in Ava Heiden's voice. She'd finally defeated Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Switch. Giving up wasn't an option. 

She likes beating video games. She likes winning basketball games. You name it, she'll compete to win. 

"It was hard," she says of beating Zelda. "There was this one level I was stuck on. I could not get it for like two months, but I eventually got it." 

Dogged determination has helped Heiden become one of the top high school hoopers nationally in the 2024 Class. The 6-foot-4 Sherwood (OR) High post showed up 36th in ESPN's most recent Top 60 rankings for the cycle. 

Heiden's recruitment went national following a breakout performance last spring and summer for Northwest Select on the club circuit. Top college programs offered scholarships. Iowa, Michigan, Utah and Oregon State stuck out to her. 

The Hawkeyes left a positive impression leading up to an August campus visit. They shined in her eyes early during that stop. 

"The first night we went out to a steak house. I was like, ok, this is good. Food is the way to my heart. This is a perfect start," she said. 

She connected with the players on the team and the coaching staff from there. By the end of the visit, she knew she wanted to be at Iowa. Still, she took three more visits she'd previously committed to taking. 

When October rolled around, there was no use waiting any longer. The other campus visits made here decision clearer. She wanted to be a Hawkeye. 

"I know everyone says it, but when you know you know. Everybody had awesome facilities and people there, too, and great academics and teams, but it was just the feel of Iowa that I loved. It's hard to explain, but that was the place for me," she said. 

Heiden and the Hawkeyes have continued building their relationship since her pledge. She watched with pride as they reached the national championship game in March. 

"I'm glad I committed early. I didn't want to sound like a band-wagoner or anything," she said. "I was rooting for them the whole time. We had watch parties. Everyone in Sherwood, now, is kind of watching Iowa." 

Heiden is enjoying a stress-free club basketball experience this spring. While peers are sorting through college choices and jamming on visits, she's running with Northwest Elite, her future home decided. 

"It's like a big weight is lifted off my shoulders. I'm so glad I committed early. I have the ability to just go out there and have fun. That's the main thing. I chose the sport because I love it," she said. 

Basketball emerged as her favorite activity, topping softball and soccer. Her mother, Kelly (Forbis) Heiden, was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in '93 at Michigan, and coached her daughter in that sport. 

"I knew basketball was it seventh, maybe eighth grade. That was about the time I got into club," Ava said. 

Heiden likes basketball being a team sport. Working with others toward a common goal and getting to know them better fuels her. 

"There are life lessons that translate to other parts of your life. Everybody has to be working on all cylinders to play well," she said. 

She's also really good at it. Heiden is showing that again this spring after a severe ankle injury in December ended her junior season at Sherwood High after five games, during which she averaged 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds.  

Iowa's last two starting post players, Megan Gustafson and Monika Czinano, were All-Americans. Associate head coach Jan Jensen has helped develop a continuous string of effective players with a wide variety of backgrounds and body types at the position. 

"I love posting up but I also love running the floor," Heiden said. "I'm expanding my game right now. I'm working on three-point shooting and all of that stuff so I can come into Iowa having a good skill set." 

Heiden would like to officially visit Iowa for a football weekend this fall if her schedule allows. She's aware that the Hawkeyes swarm the field to AC/DC's Back in Black, one of her favorite songs. 

She can visit relatives while in Iowa as well. Her father, Randy Heiden, is a former Cedar Rapids resident. 

The family also won't have any rooting-interest conflicts at the Hawkeye football game. Kelly Heiden's alma mater isn't on the Hawkeyes' '23 schedule. 

"It was a little bit of a struggle, but we got here there," Ava said of coaxing Kelly into Black and Gold merchandise. 

Jensen and head coach Lisa Bluder helped convince Kelly with their vision, kindness and sincerity. 

"She loves them," Ava said. "She'll wear both, though, like a Michigan hat and an Iowa shirt. But, yeah, she likes Iowa, too." 

Chances are good that Kelly's Iowa affinity will grow more when her daughter enrolls in college next summer. Ava's mom will become closer to more Hawkeyes. 

"All the support that I've been getting since I committed is crazy," Ava said. "The fan base is amazing and there's such good people out there. I'm so glad I'm going to be able to represent the state of Iowa."