Ava Heiden Named AP Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
The Associated Press has named the national player of the week in women’s basketball for Week 16. This time, the honor goes to a standout sophomore center from No. 9 Iowa who’s been at the heart of her team’s recent surge.
Ava Heiden, the sophomore center from No. 9 Iowa, is in the spotlight. She led her team to wins over Nebraska, Purdue, and Michigan.
Heiden put up a double-double in each of those games. She really dominated on both ends—scoring and rebounding with confidence.
Key Stats from Heiden’s Performance
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Heiden’s numbers last week were eye-catching:
- Points: Averaged 24 points per game
- Rebounds: Averaged 11.3 rebounds per game
- Field Goal Percentage: Shot 75% from the field
- Blocks: Had two blocks against then-No. 6 Michigan
Against Michigan, she scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots. That kind of consistency just jumps off the stat sheet and makes her a deserving AP Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.
Other Notable Performances
Heiden’s week was big, but she wasn’t the only one making waves. A few other athletes turned in performances that caught plenty of attention too.
Madina Okot of No. 3 South Carolina
Madina Okot, the senior center from No. 3 South Carolina, played a crucial part in two Top 25 wins over Alabama and Ole Miss. Okot’s week looked like this:
- Points: Averaged 16.5 points per game
- Rebounds: Averaged 13 rebounds per game
- Blocks: Averaged four blocks per game
- Three-Pointers: Made five three-pointers, staying perfect from deep
She managed a double-double by halftime against Alabama—13 points and 10 rebounds in just 16 minutes. Okot’s all-around game has been huge for South Carolina.
Other Standout Players
Besides Heiden and Okot, a few more names deserve a shoutout:
- Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
- Olivia Miles, No. 11 TCU
- Sarah Strong, No. 1 UConn
These athletes keep showing up in big moments. They’re definitely ones to keep an eye on as the season keeps rolling.
Hailey Adams Leads Rice to Victory
Hailey Adams, the redshirt junior guard from Rice, has been making a real impact. She helped lead her team to victories over East Carolina and South Florida.
Adams’ play has fueled Rice’s 19-game winning streak. She’s been a difference-maker on both ends of the court.
Adams’ Impressive Stats
Here’s what Adams put up last week:
- Points: Averaged 12 points per game
- Rebounds: Averaged 16 rebounds per game
- Blocks: Averaged 2.5 blocks per game
- Field Goal Percentage: Shot 60% from the field
Her dominance has been key for Rice, leaving them just one win away from locking up the top seed in the American Conference. Not bad at all.
Conclusion
The performances of these athletes show just how much talent and dedication exists in women’s college basketball. Ava Heiden dominated for Iowa, while Madina Okot showed all-around excellence for South Carolina.
Hailey Adams led Rice with a style that really set a high standard for the sport. It’s honestly hard not to look forward to seeing how these players and their teams keep pushing forward as the season unfolds.
If you want more details on this week’s AP Women’s Basketball Player of the Week and other standout performances, check out the full article on Lancaster Online.