Certain players in college basketball make it impossible to look away when they step on the court. Audi Crooks is one of them. With a mix of power and an unstoppable will to win, the Iowa State sophomore has been putting on a show all season.
Her latest performance against Kansas State proved once again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12.
Audi Crooks Dominates The Court With A Big Win And Features In SLAM
Adding to the excitement, Crooks recently landed on the cover of SLAM U, marking another milestone in her rapidly rising career. SLAM posted a striking image of her on their X page, featuring her pose that made it onto merchandise as well. The caption read:
“The center of attention. Audi Crooks covers SLAMU 6, our newest digital cover.”
The center of attention.
Audi Crooks covers SLAMU 6, our newest digital cover. https://t.co/63Dqp4EVwv pic.twitter.com/rXPsBYOsgy
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 4, 2025
Crooks’ dominance didn’t just start in college. She was a legend in high school at Bishop Garrigan in Algona, Iowa, where she led her team to back-to-back state championships.
Her high school career was filled with record-breaking performances, including an unforgettable 49-point game in a state championship that silenced critics who questioned her skill set.
“The critics say sometimes that all I do is get baskets right under the basket. I mean this most humbly: It works,” she said.
Now, at Iowa State, Crooks has continued to refine her game. She has perfected the art of posting up, boxing out defenders, and creating easy scoring opportunities. But what makes her even more dangerous this season is her expanding skill set. Over the summer, she focused on adding a mid-range shot to her arsenal and improving her defense.
“I took the time to appreciate what I did my first year, but also improve,” Crooks told SLAM. “[I] focused a lot [on] turning up [on] the defensive end of the floor, being a better defender, being a better shot blocker, and then also coming out of the paint a little bit [with my] mid-range game, trusting myself with the rock and trusting myself to be able to handle the ball.”
Getting back to the game, Iowa State closed out their regular season in dominant fashion, crushing No. 14 Kansas State 85-63, thanks in large part to Crooks’ career-high 36-point performance.
The 6’3″ center completely took over in the third quarter, dropping 14 points in a stretch where the Cyclones turned a one-point halftime lead into a comfortable advantage.
Crooks was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in the third quarter while also adding two free throws. Her efficiency and control in the paint made it nearly impossible for Kansas State’s defense to contain her. Every time she got the ball, the outcome felt inevitable—the Wildcats had no answer for her size, strength, and scoring ability.
In the second quarter, she delivered one of her most impressive moments of the game. Faced with a double-team, Crooks effortlessly shook off her defenders and sank a smooth floater over Kansas State senior Kennedy Taylor.
The Cyclones’ bench erupted in celebration, with head coach Bill Fennelly and her teammates, including sophomore guard Kelsey Joens and forward Addy Brown, showing their excitement. Brown, in particular, was quick to highlight what makes Crooks so special:
“If we throw it in there, we know it’s going up and it’s going in,” Brown said. “That’s a good thing to have inside, and we kind of play around her.”
Crooks Leading Her Way To The National Recognition
Her outstanding play hasn’t gone unnoticed on a national scale, either.
This week, Crooks was named The Associated Press Women’s College Basketball Player of the Week after averaging 32.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in Iowa State’s wins over Central Florida and Kansas State. Against the Wildcats, she shot an incredible 14 of 18 from the field, showcasing her elite efficiency.
Meanwhile, Duke freshman forward Toby Fournier was the runner-up for the weekly honor, scoring a career-high 28 points in a win over No. 24 Florida State. But this week belonged to Crooks, who continues to build her case as one of the best bigs in the country.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Players in 2025
As the postseason looms, Crooks and the Cyclones have their eyes set on making noise in the Big 12 Tournament and beyond. With her relentless work ethic, rapidly improving skill set, and undeniable presence on the court, there’s no telling how far she can take Iowa State.
One thing is for sure—Crooks is just getting started, and college basketball better be ready for what comes next.
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