KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Ashley Joens’ career in Ames has come to a close.
The three-time all-American, four-time all-Big 12, two-time Cheryl Miller Award, the 2023 Big 12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and 2023 Big 12 Player of the Year has played her last game in an Iowa State uniform.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Joens said. “I love Iowa State, my teammates and my coaches. I’ve been blessed to be here and get the opportunity to play along with this team.”
She’ll be remembered as one of the best basketball players to ever suit up for Iowa State.
That’s on both the women’s and men’s sides.
“Ash is certainly one of the best basketball players I’ve ever coached, ever been around or ever seen,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “She’ll go down as one of the greatest college women’s players ever. The honors, the records… we could sit here all day and talk about them.”
On top of the overarching and lengthy list of accolades Joens collected, she was as much of a part of the best moments the program has seen in her five years in Ames.
“She’s been someone that showed up every day and did everything we asked her to do,” Fennelly said. “She put this team on her back, especially after (Stephanie Soares) got hurt. It’s just been a joy to be around her. She’s a tremendous person and she’ll be very successful no matter what she ends up doing in life.”
Behind a Sweet 16 run, five-straight NCAA Tournaments (with one canceled due to COVID-19), and numerous wins against rivals Texas, Baylor and Iowa, Joens helped deliver some great nights to be a Cyclone.
The top of the list may have come a week ago in Kansas City.
“Playing with this team, obviously winning a Big 12 championship was a goal we had and to be able to do that was really fun and a great success,” Joens said of her favorite memory.
What’s up next for Joens – aside from preparing for April’s WNBA draft – hasn’t been decided yet.
“I’ll figure it out, I don’t know, tomorrow,” Joens said in the same concise words she had for five seasons.
She just wants to go work and after the sting of this loss fizzles out, she’ll be on to a new job.
“Not the way we wanted the season to end, but looking back it was a great five years,” Joens said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
