The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletics:
LOS ANGELES – Ashley Joens’ strong first half of the 2021-22 season in leading the No. 12 Iowa State women’s basketball team has been recognized as she was named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List, announced Tuesday evening. The midseason list is chosen by women’s college basketball experts nationally based on their performances so far during the 2021-22 season.
Joens has been a frequent member of the Wooden Award watch lists, making the preseason list this season along with the preseason, midseason and late season lists during the 2020-21 season.
A senior from Iowa City, Joens has been outstanding yet again for Iowa State, leading the Cyclones with 20.6 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game. She is one of five players nationally who is averaging at least 20.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. The 2021 Cheryl Miller Award winner, Joens has scored in double figures in all 13 ISU games this season and has seven double-doubles to her name.
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2022 John R. Wooden Award Women’s Player of the Year presented by Wendy’s. Players not chosen to the preseason or midseason list are still eligible for the Wooden Award National Ballot.
The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team™ will be announced the week of the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2022 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy’s following the NCAA Tournament in April.
