Iowa State’s superstar center is leaving the program.Previous video above: Multiple Cyclones enter transfer portalAudi Crooks announced Thursday morning her intention to enter the transfer portal.”Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day,” Crooks said in a statement announcing her departure. “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, an Algona native, led the Big 12 in scoring two years in a row and was named second-team All-America in 2025-26 as a junior. She averaged 25.8 points per game and 7.7 rebounds. Her 820 points as a sophomore led the nation.Crooks becomes the ninth member of Iowa State’s 2025-26 roster to enter the transfer portal. Only two players — senior-to-be Arianna Jackson and backup guard Evangelia Paulk — initially stated their plans to return next season. Freshman guard Freya Jensen, who planned to transfer, has now decided not to enter the portal.Bill Fennelly provides statement after wave of transfersCoach Bill Fennelly shared a statement Thursday morning in the wake of Crooks’ decision to transfer.”While I am sad and disappointed that some of our players have chosen to pursue other opportunities, I want to thank them for their time at Iowa State and wish them all the best as they move on,” Fennelly said. “They will always be a part of the Cyclone Women’s Basketball family.”Fennelly went on to thank Iowa State’s administration and athletic department, including new president David Cook. He called it a “challenging time” for the program and for college athletics.”Finally, I want to thank the nation’s BEST fans for their love and support of Cyclone Women’s Basketball,” Fennelly said. “Over our 31 years here, you have grown with us and made Hilton Magic a special place that has created lifelong memories for so many. I look forward with enthusiasm to next season and promise you we will have a team that represents all of you the Iowa State Way.”Jamie Pollard shares update after mass transfers out of women’s basketball programShortly after Crooks’ departure, Iowa State posted a video on social media of Athletics Director Jamie Pollard providing an update to both the men’s and women’s basketball programs.He congratulated the men’s team on a successful season and recognized the changes to the coaching staff. Assistant coaches JR Blount and Kyle Green each left the program to take head coaching positions.“Rest assured, has a great plan for how he’s going to repopulate his staff in order to continue our success in men’s basketball,” Pollard said.Regarding the 10 players leaving the women’s program, Pollard called it “an unfortunate byproduct of the state of our industry.”He also cited another Big 12 program that is down to two returning players for next year and made a comparison to the football program, which was down to under 20 returning players in December following the departure of football coach Matt Campbell.Pollard made it clear he is not making a coaching change involving Fennelly.“I’m confident that given our great crowds, and our history, and our coaching staff, that we will have no shortage of student-athletes that want to transfer to Iowa State,” Pollard said.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

AMES, Iowa —

Iowa State’s superstar center is leaving the program.

Previous video above: Multiple Cyclones enter transfer portal

Audi Crooks announced Thursday morning her intention to enter the transfer portal.

“Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day,” Crooks said in a statement announcing her departure. “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, an Algona native, led the Big 12 in scoring two years in a row and was named second-team All-America in 2025-26 as a junior. She averaged 25.8 points per game and 7.7 rebounds. Her 820 points as a sophomore led the nation.

Crooks becomes the ninth member of Iowa State’s 2025-26 roster to enter the transfer portal. Only two players — senior-to-be Arianna Jackson and backup guard Evangelia Paulk — initially stated their plans to return next season. Freshman guard Freya Jensen, who planned to transfer, has now decided not to enter the portal.

Bill Fennelly provides statement after wave of transfers

Coach Bill Fennelly shared a statement Thursday morning in the wake of Crooks’ decision to transfer.

“While I am sad and disappointed that some of our players have chosen to pursue other opportunities, I want to thank them for their time at Iowa State and wish them all the best as they move on,” Fennelly said. “They will always be a part of the Cyclone Women’s Basketball family.”

Fennelly went on to thank Iowa State’s administration and athletic department, including new president David Cook. He called it a “challenging time” for the program and for college athletics.

“Finally, I want to thank the nation’s BEST fans for their love and support of Cyclone Women’s Basketball,” Fennelly said. “Over our 31 years here, you have grown with us and made Hilton Magic a special place that has created lifelong memories for so many. I look forward with enthusiasm to next season and promise you we will have a team that represents all of you the Iowa State Way.”

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Jamie Pollard shares update after mass transfers out of women’s basketball program

Shortly after Crooks’ departure, Iowa State posted a video on social media of Athletics Director Jamie Pollard providing an update to both the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

He congratulated the men’s team on a successful season and recognized the changes to the coaching staff. Assistant coaches JR Blount and Kyle Green each left the program to take head coaching positions.

“Rest assured, [T.J. Otzelberger] has a great plan for how he’s going to repopulate his staff in order to continue our success in men’s basketball,” Pollard said.

Regarding the 10 players leaving the women’s program, Pollard called it “an unfortunate byproduct of the state of our industry.”

He also cited another Big 12 program that is down to two returning players for next year and made a comparison to the football program, which was down to under 20 returning players in December following the departure of football coach Matt Campbell.

Pollard made it clear he is not making a coaching change involving Fennelly.

“I’m confident that given our great crowds, and our history, and our coaching staff, that we will have no shortage of student-athletes that want to transfer to Iowa State,” Pollard said.

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play