Audi Crooks has found her new home.
The All-American and nation’s leading scorer in women’s college basketball has committed to Oklahoma State out of the transfer portal, two people familiar with Crooks’ situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports late Sunday night.
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Crooks later posted the news herself on her Instagram with a slideshow of her in Oklahoma State gear and a caption containing orange hearts and a cowboy hat emoji.
Widely viewed as the top target out of more than 1,500 players in this year’s transfer portal, Crooks was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big 12 selection across three seasons at Iowa State. This past season, she led the nation in scoring with 25.8 points per game and also averaged 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
A 6-foot-3 native of Algona, Iowa, Crooks first captured national attention as a freshman in the 2024 NCAA Tournament when she scored 40 points in a first round win over Maryland. This season, Crooks scored 40 points or more in four games.
Crooks has established herself as one of the most efficient inside scorers in the nation, plowing through opponents on her way to a layup, shimmying defenders off with nifty post moves, or nimbly dancing around them. Her career field goal percentage of 61.1% is fifth all-time in the history of Big 12 women’s basketball. Only Texas Tech’s Alicia Thompson has a higher career points per game mark than Crooks’ 22.8 in the history of the Big 12.
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Despite her individual accomplishments, Crooks never played in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with Iowa State. She was one of nine players to transfer out of Iowa State this offseason, a group that also includes fellow All-Big 12 standouts Jada Williams and Addy Brown. Williams committed to LSU on April 12.
Oklahoma State head coach Jacie Hoyt has completely revamped — and, many would argue, improved — her roster after a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Nine former Cowgirls entered the transfer portal this offseason.
But Hoyt landed arguably the two best players in the portal in Crooks and Florida guard Liv McGill.
A 5-foot-9 guard from Minnesota, McGill averaged 22.5 points per game this past season for the Florida Gators, which ranked 11th nationally, sixth in the Power 4 and second in the SEC. McGill also posted 6.3 assists per game, which ranked ninth nationally. She was also good for 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game and shot 43.1% from the floor.
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Hoyt also signed 6-foot-1 Rutgers forward Nene Ndiaye, who averaged 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 45% from the floor and 41% from 3-point land. Another addition, three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Ellie Brueggemann from Lindenwood, ranked seventh nationally in 3-point shooting this season, making 44% of her attempts from beyond the arc.
Oklahoma State also brought in former five-star recruit LA Sneed from Utah and Talexa Weeter, the Player of the Year in NCAA Division II from Fort Hays State.
Combine those additions with the return of Stailee Heard — a two-time All-Big 12 selection who has been the bus driver for the Cowgirls, averaging 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46% from the floor and 35% from 3-point range — and Oklahoma State very much looks like a team that’s going to be a must-watch and in the conversation as a contender.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women’s basketball star transfer Audi Crooks lands at Oklahoma State
