When Audi Crooks entered the transfer portal, it immediately became one of the most important storylines of the offseason. A dominant interior force with rare efficiency and consistency, Crooks wasn’t just another high-profile player testing the market. She was the market.
Now, her decision to leave the Iowa State Cyclones and land with the Oklahoma State Cowgirls doesn’t just answer the “where.” It raises a much bigger question: what happens next?
Why Oklahoma State makes perfect sense
On paper, this isn’t a dramatic geographic shift or a conference leap. Crooks is staying in the Big 12. But context matters.
Oklahoma State is coming off a 24-win season and already proved it can compete at a high level, even pushing into the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion UCLA Bruins women's basketball. What the Cowgirls lacked was a true offensive centerpiece in the half court.
That’s exactly what Crooks brings.
She averaged 25.8 points per game while shooting nearly 65 percent from the field last season. That combination of volume scoring and elite efficiency is almost unheard of at the college level. Her ability to command double teams, finish through contact, and control tempo in the paint instantly gives Oklahoma State a go-to option when possessions slow down in March.
What Iowa State is losing
There’s no clean way to replace a player like Crooks.
At Iowa State, she wasn’t just productive. She was foundational. Over three seasons, she built a reputation as one of the most reliable scorers in the country, rarely having an off night and consistently delivering in big moments. Her 37-point performance in the NCAA Tournament loss to Syracuse was a reminder of just how much she carried.
Now, with multiple players departing and Crooks gone, the Cyclones aren’t just retooling. They’re resetting.
The Big 12 ripple effect
This move has conference-wide implications.
Oklahoma State already beat Iowa State twice last season. Now it adds the best player from that roster. That’s not just roster improvement. That’s direct competitive leverage.
With Crooks anchoring the offense, the Cowgirls move from a solid NCAA Tournament team to a legitimate contender to win the Big 12. Her presence also changes how opponents have to defend them. Teams will have to collapse inside, opening up perimeter looks and fundamentally altering Oklahoma State’s offensive ceiling.
What comes next for Crooks
This final season isn’t just about winning games. It’s about legacy.
Crooks has already established herself as one of the most dominant post players in recent women’s college basketball memory. But a deep tournament run, or even a conference title, could elevate her into an entirely different tier of recognition.
She’s drawn comparisons to Shaquille O'Neal for her physical dominance and efficiency around the rim. Now, she’ll have a platform with real postseason upside to back it up.
That’s what makes this move so significant. It’s not just a transfer. It’s a calculated bet on finishing strong, on stepping into a situation built to win now.
And in a transfer portal era defined by constant movement, this one feels different. This one feels like it might decide something.
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