Iowa High School Hires WNBA Player Ashley Joens as Girls' Basketball Coach

Former Iowa State star and two-time USA Basketball gold medalist takes over Ankeny High School program.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a girls' high school basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange intersecting to create a sense of motion and intensity.The hiring of former WNBA star Ashley Joens as Ankeny High School's new girls' basketball coach brings a new era of energy and excitement to the program.Iowa City Today

Ashley Joens, a former WNBA player and two-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, has been hired as the new head coach of the girls' basketball team at Ankeny High School in Iowa, pending board approval. Joens had a standout career at Iowa City High School and Iowa State University before playing professionally in the WNBA and overseas.

Why it matters

Joens' hiring represents a significant coup for the Ankeny High School girls' basketball program, as she brings a wealth of high-level playing experience and a proven track record of success at the collegiate and international levels. Her leadership and expertise are expected to elevate the team and inspire the next generation of players in the community.

The details

After a successful playing career that included four All-American honors and three Cheryl Miller Awards at Iowa State, Joens was selected in the second round of the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings. She has since played for three different WNBA teams as well as professionally in Italy, New Zealand, Greece, and France. Joens also led Tauranga Whai to the 2024 Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship in New Zealand and was a part of the league's All-Star Five. Internationally, she was the team captain of the USA Basketball squad that won gold at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Women's Americas Championship and the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup.

  • Joens will take over the Ankeny High School girls' basketball program starting in the 2026-27 season.
  • Last season, the Ankeny High School girls' basketball team went 14-11 and made it to the state tournament before suffering a season-ending loss to Johnston.

The players

Ashley Joens

A former WNBA player and two-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, Joens will be the new head coach of the girls' basketball team at Ankeny High School in Iowa.

Ankeny High School

The Iowa high school where Joens will be taking over the girls' basketball program, pending board approval.

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What they’re saying

“Grateful for this opportunity to start the next chapter of my career. Excited to be a part of such a rich culture of girls' basketball at Ankeny High School. Can't wait to get to work. Go Hawks!”

— Ashley Joens

What’s next

The Ankeny Community School District Board of Education will need to approve Joens' hiring as the new head coach of the girls' basketball team at their next meeting.

The takeaway

Ashley Joens' hiring as the new head coach of the Ankeny High School girls' basketball team represents a significant investment in the program's future success. Her wealth of playing experience at the highest levels, combined with her proven track record of leadership and winning, is expected to elevate the team and inspire the next generation of players in the community.