CBB Star Audi Crooks Talks Transfer Portal, Iowa State Career, WNBA Future and More in B/R Interview

Audi Crooks hasn't chosen a new team after entering the transfer portal.

But she knows what she wants when evaluating potential destinations.

"I would say a concrete culture and decent shooters," the former Iowa State star told Bleacher Report. "I need some people who can really knock it down beyond the arc and make my life a little bit easier in the paint."

Crooks' decision to enter the portal this offseason was a landscape-altering one, as she is one of the best players in all of college basketball. Her departure was also part of some significant roster overhaul for the Cyclones, who saw nine players depart for the portal following a first-round exit in the NCAA women's tournament.

None of those losses were as important as Crooks.

After all, she is the top-rated player in the transfer portal on both ESPN and CBS Sports. Whichever team lands her will immediately bolster their national championship chances and overall outlook heading into the season.

The move also gives her the opportunity to put the finishing touches on what has already been an illustrious collegiate career.

Crooks led Iowa State to three straight NCAA tournament appearances with the most notable one coming in 2024 when the Cyclones reached the second round thanks to her 40 points in a comeback win over Maryland. She was an All-Big 12 First Team selection in each of her three seasons as well.

As if that wasn't enough, she was an Associated Press All-American in each of the last two seasons and averaged 25.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 64.9 percent from the field and 73.1 percent from the free-throw line during the 2025-26 campaign. 

While the Cyclones lost to Syracuse in the first round, she was absolutely unstoppable on the way to 37 points on 17-of-25 shooting from the field. Crooks also notched 12 double-doubles this past season and scored more than 40 points in four different games.

"I had a lot of great performances, both as a team and as an individual," she said when reflecting back on her time with Iowa State.

"It was great being able to lead the Cyclones in field-goal percentage and 40-point games, and I'll never forget the game against Maryland where I had 40 and we were down 20 at half. There were a lot of cool moments that we shared. I can't pick just one, but I'll definitely carry those memories with me."

She will have one more collegiate season to continue making those memories, but there is plenty of basketball left ahead of her seeing how she is already on the WNBA's radar.

Multiple evaluators project her as a top-five pick in the 2027 WNBA draft even in a loaded class that features USC's JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, LSU's Mikaylah Williams and Texas' Madison Booker, among others.

And how could they not, as Crooks is an unstoppable post presence who stands out because of her efficiency. Whenever she gets the ball in her hands on the low post, it is surprising if she doesn't convert it into a basket or an excellent look for herself or one of her teammates.

But she is not just an overpowering scorer on the blocks. She also brings a soft touch on her shot that allows her to hit fadeaways in the lane when doubles come her way. Throw in solid free-throw shooting that prevents opponents from just fouling her to counter her physicality and offensive attack, and Crooks can take over any game as a scorer and double-double threat.

Still, she knows what it will take to become an even better player before reaching the sport's highest level in the WNBA.

"I am working on developing more outside range and being more comfortable at the free-throw line," Crooks said. "I'm working on developing more defensively, developing a higher basketball IQ and understanding the style of play that the W has and how that's going to translate and the actions I need to take in order to get there."

When she does reach the WNBA, she has the perfect partnership to turn toward when it comes to perfecting her pregame tunnel fashion choices.

Crooks partnered with JC Penny as part of its Inside Lane campaign that is aiming to make high-end fashion more affordable and available than what is offered by many of the high-end design labels.

"The partnership has been great," she said. "What drew me to them is the fact that a lot of us come from humble beginnings. And I feel like fashion so often has become super expensive. So I think JC Penny has developed a line that helps you look good, feel good and doesn't break the bank.

"I feel really good partnering with them knowing that other people can afford these looks. People being able to see things that they like and they can afford and can maybe go get locally is a big deal."

It is also a personal partnership for the frontcourt star.

"They have a lot of clothes that I'm into that are really trendy and fashionable," she said. "It also draws back to when I was a kid, I remember my mom during Christmas time always going to the JC Penny to get some clothes for the winter and the upcoming spring. It's always been a line that I've enjoyed and that I've liked. You can really mix and match everything with a lot of cool pieces."

Now she knows what she is going to wear for her final collegiate season.

The next question is where she will be playing.

While Crooks has an unbelievable statistical resume and has been an All-American multiple times, the one thing missing from her resume is an extended run in the Big Dance.

And that is the one thing on her mind as she evaluates her immediate future.

"I wouldn't say I have the individual goals as much as I have the collective goals," Crooks said. "I'm looking to make a deeper run in March. Everybody wants to be a part of the Sweet 16 or the Elite Eight. I think those are the things I'm really looking for to be the pinnacle of my college basketball career."

Whichever team she ends up choosing will be much better positioned to go on exactly that type of run.