By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sophomore Ava Heiden and incoming freshman Layla Hays both want the same thing.

They both want to be the starting center for the Iowa women’s basketball team and to play a majority of the minutes.

They both want to hear their name being introduced as a starter before each game.

They both want to shine in the post and be the latest in a long line of post players that have thrived under the tutelage of Iowa head coach Jan Jensen, names that include Megan Gustafson and Monika Czinano.

Heiden and Hays are competing on a daily basis, and while that can cause some tense moments, they seem to have found the right balance between the spirit of competition and sharing a mutual respect.

“I think Ava’s temperament, Ava can compete,” Jensen said. “But also she brings you along. “There’s just a cool relationship with all the team. They can battle. They can get intense. And it can get a little cranky.

“But there’s still a respect and a real love for the team that I’ve seen forged pretty early.”

The 6-foot-4 Heiden, who is from Sherwood, Oregon, came on strong at the end last season as she scored at least 10 points in three straight games to close the 2024-25 season. She scored a career-high 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Iowa’s win over Murray State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The 6-5 Hays, who is from Wasilla, Alaska, was ranked among the top 100 players in the 2025 class, and as the No. 1 prospect in Alaska.

So, Heiden could have an early advantage with a year of college basketball under her belt.

But Hays also has shown during summer workouts that she is ready and able to contribute, and she gives Heiden credit for helping her make the the transition.

“Honestly, coming in I just felt like I had to come in with an open mind,” Hays said. “I feel like I’m getting a little more physical. We get to lift and stuff, so getting stronger.

“And having Ava there, someone that will help me learn. I’ve never really had a big girl to learn with. So it’s been really great to have someone that can push me to be better every time I play.”

Hays stood far above her high school opponents in the post both figurately and literally.

“At home, we don’t have a lot of big people,” Hays said. “I would say I’m the tallest person. It’s been great to be able to play against someone so good.”

Hays and Heiden have spent the summer getting to know each other on and off the court.

They share something in common being from the Pacific Northwest and they share a burning desire to compete as they both bring out the best in each other.

“It helps me get better, and that’s the biggest thing,” Hays said of competing against Heiden every day in practice. “I want to become the best player I can be and she’s definitely pushing me to become that.”

Hays and Heiden also give Iowa versatility in the post as they both have different playing styles. Hays is bigger and has more strength, while Heiden runs the floor with the speed and quickness of a guard. Heiden also has a variety of post moves and fakes that Hays faces each day in practice.

“She’s really good at the pump fakes, so it’s helped me a lot to not be jumping when I’m playing defense and try to stay on my feet,” Hays said. “So she does a really good job of holding me accountable.

“It’s going to help us when we play in games because she’s more versatile and more jumpy and I’m more like strong and want to go up. So it’s helping us figure out how we’re going to defend that in real time.”

Jensen believes that Heiden’s temperament and her willingness to take a younger player under her wing has made what could be an awkward situation a healthy situation, both on and off the court.

“I think especially for post players when you’re learning as a young one to really know when to throw an elbow because you need to and it’s the smart thing, it’s nice to have a personality like an upper-classmen that is not taking it personally,” Jensen said of Heiden.

Hays was among three Iowa players that were made available to the media this past Tuesday, along with senior forward Hannah Stuelke and freshman forward Journey Houston.

It marked the fourth time this summer that players and coaches from the Iowa women’s team have met with the media.

Heiden met with the media earlier in July and she was asked about competing against Hays in practice.

“We both make each other better,” Heiden said. “She has certain skills and I have certain skills that help the team. I look forward to practicing with her and competing against her every day in practice.”

Though Jensen said this past Tuesday that she doesn’t plan on playing Hays and Heiden at the same time, at least for now, Hays certainly likes that idea of being one half of a twin tower.

“That would be great,” Hays said.

And while Hays still is adjusting to the summer heat and humidity that is so common in Iowa, she appreciates how much support she has as a Hawkeye on and off the court.

“The people here are amazing,” Hays said. “The culture here is great. The coaches are great. I’m overwhelmed by the gratefulness that I have for this place.”