Iowa State center Audi Crooks, one of the top scorers in the nation, has announced her intentions to leap into the transfer portal.
Audi Crooks is officially on the books, namely the transaction ledger.
(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
The touted center announced that she would enter the transfer portal on Thursday, moving on from Iowa State after three seasons. Crooks made the announcement in a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking both the Cyclones program and community for their respective support.
NEW: Iowa State center Audi Crooks plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, she announced.
Crooks averaged 25.8 points per game this season.https://t.co/ljivo7Rbl9 pic.twitter.com/S4VgfCSfw5
— On3 (@On3) April 2, 2026
“Words cannot fully express how grateful I feel to have called this place home,” Crooks said of Ames in her farewell address. “I want to thank my teammates for their friendship and all the great memories. To my coaches and all the Iowa State staff, thank you for always supporting me. I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I’ve done that here.”
“It’s why I want you to hear from me directly that I have decided to enter the portal and explore what it means to take root again in new ground.”
A local yield, the Algona-born Crooks averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 rebounds in three tours of Ames, notably leading the Big 12 in scoring in each of the last two seasons. That didn’t do much to reverse ISU’s fortunes in a disappointing season: despite featuring Crooks, Addy Brown, Jada Williams, and more, the Cyclones fell out of the national rankings despite starting in the top 15.
The season ended with a 72-63 defeat to Syracuse in the opening stages of the NCAA Tournament despite Crooks putting up 37 points. She is the latest Cyclone to leap into the portal, with Brown and Williams also among the names reportedly seeking new collegiate homes.
Where Could Crooks Go?
The 6’3 Crooks likely would’ve heard her name called in the early portions of the WNBA Draft this year, but she revealed to Katie Barnes of ESPN that she planned to finish college first. Crooks was more hesitant to answer Barnes’ query over whether those final hours would come in Ames, hinting that her decision to try the portal was long-gestating rather than a spur-of-the-moment option.
Additionally, one of the areas that render Crooks a fixer-upper is her defense, which faced its share of criticism as the Cyclones’ season got away from them. Likely already a mainstay in the draft prep of the WNBA’s early choosers, Crooks could perhaps ascend further with one more year of defensive work.
That could attract some of the more renowned defensive wizards to her cause, such as Molly Miller of Arizona State or Vic Schaefer of Texas. Crooks could also cling on to a championship-ready, senior/prospect-heavy program looking to reload for another tournament run, such as TCU or UCLA, each of whom is fresh off a strong postseason showing in the final tours of Olivia Miles and Lauren Betts.
A program like Southern California, which is well-situated in the backcourt with Jazzy Davidson in tow and JuJu Watkins set to return from injury, yet posting mediocre numbers in the interior, could also express interest.
Of course, it’d be silly to discount the personal aspects of the case as well: Crooks was one of the top recruits in Iowa and has often prided herself on remaining close to home (Ames is about two hours from Algona). The connection has taken on a larger spotlight since the 2021 passing of her father, Jimmie, allowing her to stay close to her mother, Michelle.
Is Iowa a Potential Destination?
In her original recruitment, the four-star prospect Crooks received offers from each of the four Division I programs in The Hawkeye State (Iowa State, Iowa, Drake, Northern Iowa). Crooks is probably well-advanced beyond the mid-major antics of Drake and UNI (despite the very respectable general consistency on each side), which would leave Iowa as the only candidate on that list.
The Hawkeyes, of course, are well-known for their in-state rivalry with the Cyclones, but the lack of conference hostilities would soothe at least some of the blow in Ames. Iowa, fresh off a seventh-place ranking in the final regular season rankings, conducted itself well in the paint thanks to the All-American emergence of Ava Heiden, but they’re set to lose the dominant force of Hannah Stuelke. Provided backcourt talents like Chazadi Wright stick around, the Hawkeyes can continue to keep up the post-Lisa Bluder/Caitlin Clark momentum established under Jan Jensen.
The modern transfer portal sets the stage for championship-caliber talents to find their way to elite programs. Crooks’ elite situation and skillset will make her one of the most sought-after talents in the brief yet eventful history of the concept, even amidst the plethora of talents that have moved and will continue to move.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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