For the first time in this series, let’s cover someone that played for Iowa State this past season. I know that can be a far out concept in today’s collegiate landscape, but there are some players that will stay at a school for more than one year.
Sarcastic grumblings aside, Danish guard Freya Jensen is one of just three players that donned the cardinal and gold last year that has returned. While Jensen did not log a ton of minutes this past season, she will naturally take up some amount of leadership due to the amount of newcomers that will have to adjust to life in Bill Fennelly’s system as well as life in Ames. Jensen had to go through that process last year, having to adjust from the city life of Aarhus, Denmark to small town Ames, Iowa, USA.
What does Jensen bring?
Prior to joining Iowa State, Jensen spent a lot of time playing for the Aabyhoj IF Senior Women’s Team at just 18 years old. She averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game at the senior level, and this is a league where Jensen was consistently the one of the youngest players on the court. Even in a small league, that is still quality time being played with players who at a bare minimum know what they are doing. At Iowa State Jensen did not see much action outside of late game substitutions in non-conference play, and a few minutes against Oklahoma State when there were significant injuries in the lineup. She does bring some speed to the lineup, as well as a willingness to fire from distance.
How will Jensen be used?
To be perfectly honest, until we see otherwise, I don’t see Jensen’s role changing all that much on the court. A lot of the transfers that are coming in have amassed more playing time and experience from their previous schools, and many of them have more clear skill sets that will be used in a traditional Fennelly system. What I do expect Jensen to do is take up a leadership role for those who are seeing less playing time than others. There are already clear leaders in the lineup with Arianna Jackson, Evangelia Paulk, and redshirt senior Ashleigh Connor. But a fun bench presence can absolutely bring up the vibes on and off the court.
Remember the energy that CEO Conrad Hawley, Kayden Fish and Kade Kelderman would bring from the bench? There will inevitably be some players that see the court less and less as the season progresses and we get a better picture on what lineups work the best. But a bench that continues to hustle in practice, cheer loudly for their teammates when they are doing well, and pick them up when they stumble can be a hidden piece for a team full of uncertainty and new relationships being formed. We may not be able to quantify it at the end of the season, but that energy may help this team of new faces gel quicker and stronger, all led by Freya Jensen.