Iowa State junior forward Addy Brown has played her last game as a Cyclone.
Three days after No. 8 Iowa State was ousted in the first round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season, Brown announced her decision to “move on” from Iowa State and enter the transfer portal ahead of her senior season. The transfer portal opens on Monday, April 6 following the NCAA Tournament championship game on Sunday, April 5.
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“This decision comes after a lot of thought about my future and goals,” Brown wrote in a post shared to social media. “While it’s never easy to move on, I believe this is the right step for me and I’m excited for what’s ahead as I continue to grow and chase my dreams.”
Brown added, “A sincere thank you to all of my teammates that I have been fortunate to play with – these past three years have meant everything to me. The relationships I’ve built and the memories we’ve created will stay with me forever.”
Brown played three seasons at Iowa State and averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 89 career games for the Cyclones. She was limited to a career-low 21 games (all starts) this season after being sidelined 11 games with a lower body injury. Iowa State struggled without Brown and went 6-5 without her in the lineup, including a stretch of four consecutive losses in Big 12 Conference play.
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Brown returned to the lineup on Feb. 18, but Iowa State wasn’t able to recapture the early-season magic that saw the Cyclones match the program’s best start in school history after starting 14-0. Iowa State closed out the season 8-10 and lost four of their last five games, including the Cyclones’ Big 12 tournament opening loss to Arizona State.
Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on Mar 21, 2026 in Storrs, CT.
Ahead of Iowa State’s March Madness opener against Syracuse, Brown said she couldn’t put a percentage on how healthy she felt entering the tournament: “I’m just going to go out there and do me and hoop.”
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said he wasn’t sure if Brown would even be with the team at this point of the season.
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“I think (Brown) is in a good spot. I think probably the thing with her is when you miss that much time, in the back of your mind, you’re not completely ready to just go out and let it rip. Your conditioning is an issue,” he said on Friday, March 20. “You can do a lot of stuff on a bike and in a pool and all that stuff, but it’s different running up-and-down a basketball court. She’s in as good a spot as she could probably be in. We didn’t even know if we’d have her at this point. So just to have her is a great thing, but she’s ready to go.”
Brown struggled in Iowa State’s 72-63 loss to Syracuse on Saturday, March 21 at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut. She was held to five points, shooting 2-of-11 from the field and 0-of-4 from the 3-point line.
“Cyclone Nation – I have always felt your love and support,” Brown wrote. “You truly bring the energy to Hilton (Coliseum) each and every game, and that is what makes playing at Iowa State such a special experience. Thank you for standing by me and supporting me throughout my journey.”
Brown is not the only Cyclone that could be hitting the portal. Iowa State junior center Audi Crooks declined to answer whether she would return next season, instead stating, “We’re all still processing everything and just being there for each other right now is the priority. That’s the main thing, making sure everybody is mentally OK through this tough time.”
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Crooks had 37 points (17-of-25 FG) and five rebounds in the losing effort against Syracuse.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@usatoday.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa State’s Addy Brown to enter transfer portal
