Iowa State scoring sensation Audi Crooks is entering the transfer portal, per ESPN’s Alexa Philipou.
Crooks has one more year of eligibility remaining after spending three years at Iowa State. The Cyclones went 22-10 in the 2025-2026 season, finishing seventh in the Big 12. Crooks was the second-best scorer in all of women’s basketball.
After three years at Iowa State, the star shooter is entering the portal. She becomes the 10th Cyclone to enter the portal, and while her exact reasoning hasn’t been released, it would stand to reason that she is looking to increase her chances to win a national championship in her final year.
Here is more on Crooks opting to enter the transfer portal after the 2025-2026 season.
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Why is Audi Crooks transferring from Iowa State?
Crooks is entering the transfer portal, which will officially open on April 6. The Iowa State center played in 31 games this past season and averaged 25.8 points and 7.7 rebounds. During her tenure, the Cyclones have finished 21-12, 23-12, and 22-10 and have not advanced past the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament in any of those years.
With only one year of eligibility remaining, the assumption is that Crooks is transferring to maximize her chance at a national championship in her final year, though that has not been confirmed.
Crooks released a statement with her decision. She thanked the Cyclone faithful for their support over the last three years. Crooks ended it by saying, “I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I’ve done that here. It’s why I want you to hear from me directly that I have decided to enter the portal and explore what it means to take root again in new ground.”
Iowa State’s Audi Crooks plans to enter the transfer portal, she announced on social media.
The nation’s second-leading scorer posted 25.8 PPG with the Cyclones this season, en route to a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament vs. Syracuse. pic.twitter.com/pr4zxFBFTk
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 2, 2026
Why isn’t Audi Crooks declaring for the WNBA?
Crooks’ stats on paper look crazy. She averaged 25.8 points per game, trailing only Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, who averaged 27 points per game. Crooks added 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game to be one of the more dominant players in women’s college basketball, at least on offense.
In regards to eligibility for the WNBA Draft, here is the official rule: “According to the collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players’ union, all NCAA players who graduate from a four-year college within three months of the draft, or are four years removed from high school graduation, or turn at least 22 years old during the year in which the draft takes place are eligible to renounce any remaining NCAA eligibility and opt in to the WNBA draft.”
The WNBA did reach a new CBA ahead of the 2026 season, but there haven’t been any updates to eligibility. Crooks is eligible for the draft because she turns 22 in 2026, but instead of declaring for the WNBA draft, she entered the transfer portal.
While Crooks is an offensive threat, her game doesn’t seem likely to translate to the WNBA. The biggest critique of her game is that she isn’t known for versatility as a defender. While her size helps her on offense, it tends to make her a liability on defense.
These Audi Crooks defensive highlights are tough to watch
For Iowa State to make a real run, they are going to need to figure this out
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) January 8, 2026