Iowa State's basketball program is facing a major roster shakeup. Star center Audi Crooks announced Thursday she is entering the NCAA transfer portal. The move comes after a first-round NCAA tournament exit and could signal a larger exodus.

Crooks took to Instagram on Thursday to announce that she will be finishing her collegiate career elsewhere, officially entering her name into the NCAA transfer portal.

“Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day,” Crooks wrote in a social media post directed toward Cyclone Nation. “I’ve met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I’ve built during my time at Iowa State.”

Crooks chose Iowa State over programs like Kansas State, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, among others, in 2023 as a four-star recruit.

Crooks entered her prime this past season, averaging a career-high 25.8 points and 1.7 assists, along with 7.7 rebounds per game. The 21-year-old was also on target at 64.9% from the field.

She earned the second All-American nod of her career and was also named All-Big 12 for the third straight year.

But the face of Cyclones now becomes the 10th player this offseason to enter their name in the transfer portal. This comes after eighth-seeded Iowa State was knocked out of the first round of the NCAA tournament by the No. 9 seed Syracuse Orange. She scored 37 points in that game.

The 6'3 junior, who is one of the most popular college players in the nation, now gets to make her program pick once again. But sure enough, we can expect a plethora of teams lining up to be her frontrunner choice.

Audi Crooks’ Next Projected Destinations after Iowa Left for Rebuild

Iowa State's mass exodus continues as Crooks becomes the latest to enter the transfer portal after the likes of Jada Williams, Addy Brown, and Kenzie Hare.

Crooks is a once-in-a-generation player, so it seems fitting for a player of her stature to finish her collegiate career with teams like UCLA, Minnesota, or even join rivals Iowa, as they make a much more compelling case to provide Crooks a more competitive environment.

In addition, Crooks can also opt to declare early for the 2026 WNBA Draft as she will turn 22 in December, which makes her eligible to leave school early. There have been no indications that she's interested in that path, as she told ESPN earlier this month that she wants to finish college.

But after her surprise move to change programs, the possibility remains.

The transfer portal for women’s college basketball officially opens the day after the national championship game, Monday, April 6.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil