Ashley Joens Bio
Ashley Rose Joens is an American professional basketball player who plays for Dinamo Sassari of the Italian Serie A1. Standing 6 feet tall and competing at the small forward and shooting guard positions, she has built a reputation as a high-volume scorer and versatile forward. She is best known for her record-setting career at Iowa State University and for her international play across multiple countries.
Early Life and Background
Ashley Rose Joens was born on March 16, 2000, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the United States. She is the daughter of Brian Joens and Lisa Joens and grew up alongside four sisters in a basketball-oriented household. Her older sister Courtney played basketball at the University of Illinois, while her younger sister Aubrey later played alongside her at Iowa State before transferring to Oklahoma.
Joens attended Iowa City High School, where she was a two-sport athlete in basketball and track and field. She played on the varsity basketball team all four years, started every game, and eventually became the all-time leading scorer in program history. As a senior, she averaged 30.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game and was named Iowa Miss Basketball at the end of the season.
Rated as a five-star recruit, Joens was considered the highest-rated signee in Iowa State women’s basketball history when she committed to the Cyclones. Her combination of size, scoring ability, and basketball pedigree made her one of the most talked-about prospects in her class.
Path to Basketball
Joens earned her first major international recognition as a member of the United States U-18 team that captured gold at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Americas Championship, serving as team captain. She later represented the United States on the U-19 team that won gold at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Bangkok. These early appearances on the international stage helped sharpen her competitive foundation before she turned to college play.
Following her high school career, Joens joined the Iowa State Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference, where she developed into one of the most decorated players in program history. She balanced her athletic schedule with academics, completing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in December 2022. Her transition from a celebrated prep athlete to a high-level college forward was marked by steady statistical growth, consistent postseason recognition, and a strong connection with the Cyclones fan base.
Ashley Joens Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
As a freshman during the 2018–19 season, Joens started all 35 games for the Cyclones and averaged nearly 12 points per game. She scored in double figures 20 times and was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman Team at season’s end, signaling her arrival as a rising talent.
In her sophomore season, Joens expanded her role and led the Big 12 in scoring with 20.5 points per game while adding 10.9 rebounds per contest to average a double-double. She scored a career-high 41 points against Wright State on December 11, 2019, tying for the second-best single-game scoring performance by an Iowa State player.
Iowa State Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Joens continued to improve as a junior, breaking the Iowa State single-season record for points per game with 24.2 after training in the barn of a family friend during the COVID-19 pandemic. She posted 36 points in a loss to South Dakota State and recorded 19 double-doubles, while also earning first-team All-Big 12 honors, the Cheryl Miller Award as the nation’s best small forward, and third-team All-American recognition from the United States Basketball Writers Association.
As a senior in 2021–22, Joens became Iowa State’s all-time scoring leader, averaging 20.3 points and 9.5 rebounds while leading the Cyclones to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010. She was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection, repeated as the Cheryl Miller Award recipient, and earned second-team All-America honors from both the Associated Press and the USBWA.
After the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 disruptions, Joens returned for a fifth and final season in 2022–23. She was named to the preseason AP All-America team, led the Big 12 in scoring, ranked third in rebounding in conference play, and was named Big 12 Player of the Year. During the Big 12 tournament she became the 14th player in NCAA Division I women’s history to score 3,000 career points and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player as the Cyclones claimed the title. She also shared the inaugural Bob Bowlsby Award with TCU football star Max Duggan, the Big 12 Conference’s most prestigious individual honor. By season’s end she had been named a Second-team All-American by the USBWA, a Third-team All-American by the AP, a four-time First-team All-Big 12 selection, and a three-time Cheryl Miller Award winner.
Professional Career (2023–Present)
Joens was selected 19th overall in the second round of the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings but was waived on June 23, 2023. On July 20, she signed with the Las Vegas Aces on an emergency waiver contract and appeared in two games before being released. On August 6 she returned to the Wings on a seven-day contract, and on August 18 she signed with the Phoenix Mercury to finish her rookie WNBA season.
For the 2023–24 season, Joens joined Dinamo Sassari of the Italian Serie A1, gaining experience in a top European league. She then joined the Tauranga Whai for the 2024 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season in New Zealand, helping the Whai win the league championship and earning selection to the Tauihi All-Star Five.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joens is known for her scoring versatility, capable of creating offense from the perimeter, mid-range, and post. Her rebounding strength and length allow her to contribute as a small forward and shooting guard, while her high basketball IQ has been central to her production in every league she has played.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include becoming Iowa State’s all-time scoring leader, reaching 3,000 career points during the 2023 Big 12 tournament, and earning the inaugural Bob Bowlsby Award. She also won gold medals with the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Americas Championship and the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Bangkok.
Ashley Joens Career Wins
Ashley Joens has collected wins across high school, college, international, and professional competitions. Her championship résumé includes the Big 12 Tournament title in 2023, the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship in 2024 with the Tauranga Whai, and two FIBA gold medals with United States youth national teams.
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa Highlights
Joens joined the Tauranga Whai for the 2024 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season and helped the franchise capture the league championship. Her contributions were recognized with a selection to the Tauihi All-Star Five, highlighting her immediate impact in the New Zealand competition.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her Tauihi title, Joens led Iowa State to the 2023 Big 12 Tournament championship and earned Most Outstanding Player honors. She also captained the United States to a gold medal at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Americas Championship and won gold with the U-19 squad at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Bangkok.
Ashley Joens Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Joens is the daughter of Brian Joens and Lisa Joens and has four sisters. Her older sister Courtney played basketball at the University of Illinois, and her younger sister Aubrey played alongside Ashley at Iowa State for two seasons before transferring to Oklahoma following the 2021–22 season.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Joens completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Iowa State in December 2022. She continues to build her professional career abroad while remaining connected to her family and her hometown basketball roots in Iowa.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Ashley Joens is expected to continue her professional career internationally after a strong 2024 campaign that included a Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa title with the Tauranga Whai. Her consistent scoring ability and rebounding production make her a valuable contributor wherever she lines up. Building on her experience in Italy and New Zealand, she enters 2025 as a polished veteran with a proven track record of impacting winning teams. Her combination of scoring, leadership, and championship experience positions her for another productive year on the international circuit.