Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks, widely regarded as the No. 1 player in the women's college basketball transfer portal, has opened up about the factors that drove her departure from the program. The 6-foot-3 post player, who wore No. 55 for the Cyclones, addressed her decision in a recent interview, shedding light on a move that has reshaped the landscape of women's college basketball.
Crooks emerged as a dominant force in the Big 12 Conference during her time at Iowa State, earning All-Conference honors and drawing national attention for her scoring ability and presence in the paint. Her final game in an Iowa State uniform came on January 30, 2025, when the Cyclones faced the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas.
The transfer portal has become an increasingly significant mechanism in college athletics, allowing athletes greater freedom to change programs without sitting out a season. Crooks' entry into the portal immediately made her the most sought-after player available, with numerous high-major programs expected to pursue her services.
While Crooks did not disclose her intended destination, her status as the portal's top-ranked player ensures that her commitment will have immediate championship implications for whichever program secures her. The decision marks a pivotal moment in her collegiate career and underscores the evolving dynamics of player movement in women's college basketball.
