ISU women's basketball: Audi Crooks + 10 Cyclones enter transfer portal
Key Questions
Who is Audi Crooks and why is she entering the transfer portal?
Audi Crooks is an All-American center for Iowa State women's basketball, finishing second in national scoring at 25.8 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. She is the 10th Cyclone to enter the portal following the NCAA loss to Syracuse, amid a mass exodus seeking high NIL deals over $500k.
How many Iowa State women's basketball players have entered the transfer portal?
Ten players, including double-digit scorers like Williams and Brown, have entered the portal after the Syracuse NCAA loss. This has created portal chaos and a massive rebuild for the program.
Which teams are leading the recruitment for Audi Crooks?
Oklahoma leads the pursuit, with coach Baranczyk having Iowa State ties. Notre Dame and Iowa are considered dark horses in her transfer search.
Who is staying with the Iowa State women's basketball team amid the exodus?
Jackson is staying to help with the massive rebuild. The rest of the roster has seen significant departures, escalating the portal activity.
What factors are driving the Iowa State women's basketball mass exodus?
The exodus follows the NCAA loss to Syracuse, with players like Crooks seeking lucrative NIL opportunities over $500k. Her mother publicly called out the athletic director, highlighting program dissatisfaction.
Portal chaos post-Syracuse NCAA loss: All-Am C Crooks (25.8ppg/7.7rpg, 2nd nat'l) among ten exits w/ Williams/Brown/Alisa Williams (to Indiana)/others; mom's AD Pollard callout adds drama; $500k+ NIL, Oklahoma leads, ND/Iowa/LSU darkhorses; Jackson stays for rebuild. Fennelly vows resolve amid full program reset.