Audi Crooks, a two-time All-American and the second-leading scorer in the country this season, has announced her intention to leave Iowa State and enter the transfer portal. Crooks, who averaged an impressive 25.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, has been a pivotal player for the Cyclones, leading the Big 12 in scoring for two consecutive years.
During her time at Iowa State, Crooks scored 820 points as a sophomore, leading the nation in scoring. However, despite her individual success, Iowa State did not advance past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in any of her three seasons. This has prompted speculation about her decision to seek new opportunities.
With Crooks’ departure, she becomes the ninth member of Iowa State’s 2025-26 roster to enter the transfer portal, leaving the team with only three players returning next season. Head coach Bill Fennelly expressed his disappointment, stating, “While I am sad and disappointed that some of our players have chosen to pursue other opportunities, I want to thank them for their time at Iowa State and wish them all the best as they move on.”
Crooks, hailing from Algona, Iowa, thanked her supporters, saying, “Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day.” Her exit raises questions about the future of Iowa State’s women’s basketball program.
Jamie Pollard, the Athletic Director at Iowa State, assured fans that there is a plan in place to rebuild the team, stating, “Rest assured, has a great plan for how he’s going to repopulate his staff in order to continue our success in men’s basketball.” This indicates a commitment to maintaining competitiveness despite the roster changes.
As Crooks looks to leverage her remaining season of eligibility, observers are keen to see where she will land next. The urgency of her decision reflects the increasing trend of athletes seeking new environments to maximize their potential.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding which programs are interested in Crooks, but her impressive stats and accolades suggest she will attract significant attention in the transfer market.
