Putman demonstrated her Senior leadership by leading Central DeWitt to another resounding victory this past weekend with her head-y playmaking prowess. Offensively, she shot from all levels, hitting half of her attempts from two, three, and the free throw line. She consistently dished out crafty assists, eventually giving her 8 in total and she pulled down 7 rebounds as well. Putman wasn’t the only one who had an eye-opening showing in this game, stacking the total amount of their victory to 45 points. That’s not something to be satisfied with but definitely something to recognize as we continue to play this Winter. 

Central DeWitt is in a prime position to make it to the State Tournament in a few weeks if they take care of business once the Playoffs start. They are dominating most of their opponents at this time and that’s mainly because of their guard play. Someone who has been doing their part is CG – Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA . Putman has insane body control as she attacks down hill, she is quick and smart in the choices she makes coming down the floor, she can command others vocally to their spots like it’s nothing, and she is always one of the first on the floor when a loose ball opportunity presents itself. The key to a lot of Central DeWitt’s success so far this Winter is because of Putman’s leadership. She is one of their top dawgs and that should continue until she graduates.

Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA is someone that we have not mentioned a lot through out the years but as of late, her steady improvement has really impressed us over the past eight months. Putman, a 5’7 CG, is pound-for-pound, one of the most athletic players that the state of Iowa has to offer. This athletic ability helps her thrive in a few different ways on the floor. She is a skilled multiple-level scorer offensively with great body control while attacking the bucket. She can keep it simple and hit shots when defenders don’t step up or she can get crafty with it and get by her opponent off the dribble for an easier look going towards the hoop. Defensively, she is pesty and someone that gets under the skin of opponent. She is very good at sticking with her matchup in the full court if asked, never giving up an inch of space in reality. All in all, Putman will be her team’s main producer this Winter for her Senior season. If she can stay locked in at the goal at hand, who knows where Central DeWitt takes things in the end under her leadership.

Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA locked in her first D2 offer to Truman State and the Bulldogs. Putman, the 5’7 CG, is very athletic for her size and position. She is pound for pound one of the more athletic prospects in the state and she has some agile skill to pair along with that. She can get down hill in a hurry, she can play defense on any like-sized guard, and she is notable with how she can control her body while attacking the bucket in the air. I do have Putman with a D2 grade after the Spring has has put together. If she ended off her high school career with 3-4 offers before she committed, it would not shock me but we will see. If she has another great showing in July, the sky is the limit.

Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA of Central DeWitt and Team Iowa just grabbed another D3 offer from The Cornell Rams to continue on following her high school career. Putman has proven a lot over the past six months. She finished off her Junior campaign with the Sabers at the State Tournament, showing that she could be some team’s #1 eventually down the line. She has great instincts, a fast first step, she isn’t afraid of physical contact, and she has good body control when she is attacking the rim. She can also pull up from deep off the catch or dribble if she see’s an opening. Putman should receive a few more offers before she commits. She definitely has the interest, coaches just need to keep pulling the trigger.

I’m a big fan of Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA as an off-guard. Putman popped up with past season on the high school floor in Iowa as dominant source of energy, skill, and leadership. Putman is a quicker guard that primarily moves around the 1 or 2 spot. She has the capabilities to lead as a PG or she can move off the ball as a SG and still produce with everything she brings to the table. A smooth handle, solid vision, and a calm demeanor. Putman’s Team Iowa 17U team did some work and got into it the past few days. They took some bruises but they are going to come out better on the other side because of it.

For most teams to get to State, they need to have multiple prospects that have some sort of “higher” talent level or coordination. It’s usually not just one player doing all the work, even though it might seem that way. In this case, a prospect that compliments Lauren Walker Lauren Walker 5'9" | PG Central DeWitt | 2025 State IA really well, while being a bucket in her own right is CG, Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA . Putman has decent size, a better than average athletic ability, great instincts on and off of the ball, a willingness to be one of the first on the floor for a loose ball, and like everyone else on this Sabers team – she plays the game the proper way. I can’t say that enough. As it pertains to her individual offense, Putman killed it last night by making accurate passes for assists, she hit open jump shots from deep all game long, and she moved really well when she was off of the basketball. There were multiple times throughout this contest where Putman made a play that had the entire gym on their feet with cheers. The Central Dewitt journey is not over. If they want to have some more success on the State floor next week, Putman will have to continue to be someone that this team can look too.

I think Ava Putman Ava Putman 5'7" | CG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA will be an x-factor this season for Central DeWitt. While there is a lot to like about her game, her shot is what stood out to me the most. She’s got a very quick release and is not afraid to shoot against a high hand or from way beyond the arc. She’s also got good court vision and runs the floor well for transition buckets. Defensively she plays a lot bigger than 5’7,” and does a good job making ball handlers uncomfortable. I’m excited to see Putman’s growth throughout her junior season.