City High Graduate Joens Added to USA Basketball U18 Team
Your Prep Sports
Following a standout prep career at City High Ashley Joens was prepared to start her collegiate career after reporting to Iowa State earlier this month.
It turns out Joens will have one more stop between City High and Iowa State.
Joens was added to the 2018 USA Basketball U18 team on Wednesday after originally being selected as an alternate for the squad.
“I have always dreamed of playing for USA Basketball,” Joens said in a statement. “Being a part of this team and representing our country is a dream come true.”
The 2018 Miss Iowa Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year selection, Joens was selected as one of six alternates for the U18 team following tryouts at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last month.
On Wednesday she became the first Iowa State player named to any USA Basketball roster when she was added to the 12-member squad that will compete in the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship August 1-7 in Mexico City, Mexico.
“This is a great opportunity for Ashley,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “Being a part of USA Basketball is a great honor and she will add a great deal to the team. All of us associated with Iowa State women’s basketball are excited and proud of her.”
Joens starred at City High leaving as the top scorer and rebounder in program history.
A four-time all-state pick and top-20 national recruit, Joens was at her best during a historic senior season in which she averaged a state-leading 30.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while shooting 61.8 percent from the field.
Joens was one of three alternates to be announced as team members on Wednesday.
Texas native Desiree Caldwell and Maori Davenport of Alabama join Joens on a USA Basketball U18 Team that is seeking a ninth consecutive gold medal at U18 competition.
Queen Egbo, Jordan Nixon and Abby Prohaska were named to the team on May 28 following tryouts but are no longer able to participate due to school commitments.
Joens, Caldwell and Davenport were appointed to fill those spots and will return with USA teammates to Colorado Springs for training camp on July 20 before departing for competition.
“We are very excited to have Desiree, Maori and Ashley join the team and look forward to working with them at training camp as we prepare for the FIBA Americas U18 Championship,” Jeff Walz USA U18 and University of Louisville head coach said in a statement. “We enjoyed getting to know Queen, Jordan and Abby and we will certainly miss them going forward.”