Major College Basketball Star Considering Transfer
After a disappointing first-round exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, one of women’s college basketball’s standout players is set to change teams.
Audi Crooks has entered her name into the transfer portal following a remarkable three-year tenure with the Iowa State Cyclones. While she is also eligible for the 2026 WNBA Draft, if she opts to remain in college, she could very well become the most sought-after player in the portal during her final eligibility year.
Standing at 6’3″, Crooks is widely recognized as one of the top interior scorers in the game. This season, she averaged 25.8 points per game, placing her second in Division I behind Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes. Furthermore, she achieved an impressive shooting percentage of 65% from the field, making her one of the most efficient scorers nationwide. Crooks also averaged 7.7 rebounds per game, which ranked fourth in the Big 12, and managed a career-high 73% from the free-throw line.
While her scoring ability is remarkable, Crooks faces some challenges on the defensive end and may require a team structure that can accommodate her skill set. Ideally, she would pair well with a more mobile frontcourt player who could offer additional rim protection; her three-point shooting has been limited this season, with just one made — not exactly ideal for floor spacing.
Nonetheless, given her strong scoring touch, Crooks is poised to attract significant interest in the transfer portal. Here are five schools to keep an eye on.
TCU is known for targeting notable names in the transfer portal, having successfully recruited Haley Van Lith from LSU and Olivia Miles from Notre Dame in recent seasons. Could they repeat that success with Crooks? The Horned Frogs made it to the Elite Eight this year before being knocked out by No. 1 seed South Carolina. More talent in the frontcourt would certainly benefit them. While Marta Suarez might be ineligible after five years in college, 6-foot-7 sophomore Clara Silva could potentially return. A partnership between Silva and Crooks could form a formidable frontcourt. TCU traditionally invests heavily in quality guards, and with a new guard needed after Miles’ likely departure to the WNBA, recruiting Crooks seems like a solid move.
USC already has a roster filled with star power, and adding Crooks could amplify that. With JuJu Watkins expected to return next season from an ACL injury and freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson gearing up for her second year, the Trojans could benefit from additional size and talent in the frontcourt. However, integrating Crooks could complicate spacing issues, given that there’s only one basketball. Depending on how the team approaches this, they might prefer a different style of big, but Crooks’s talent might just make it work.
Meanwhile, Texas is riding high after making it to the Final Four. With Madison Booker, a standout player, having one year of eligibility left, the addition of Crooks could be the perfect complementary piece. Current big Kyla Oldaker could be ineligible after this tournament, while Judge Carleton returns for another year. Crooks brings a different dynamic as a scorer rather than just a defensive presence, and the team’s perimeter defense could effectively manage her vulnerabilities.
Notable Contenders for Crooks
Notre Dame has been in desperate need of frontcourt talent this season. Although they reached the Elite Eight largely due to star point guard Hannah Hidalgo, facing off against bigger teams highlighted some weaknesses. Crooks could provide a different edge to the team’s current small-ball strategy. The combination of Crooks and Hidalgo would certainly be something to watch.
LSU faced a close defeat against Duke in the Sweet 16 but should rebound next season. Coach Kim Mulkey knows how to snag superstars from the transfer portal, and Crooks is likely to be among the top available recruits. LSU has leaned toward smaller lineups this season, with their top scorers primarily being guards. With some players potentially becoming ineligible, including big Amiya Joyner, introducing Crooks into the frontcourt could diversify their attack while allowing their athletic perimeter players to handle defense.
