Audi Crooks is going portaling.

The transfer portal doesn’t officially open until April 6, the day after the national championship game. However, one of the best players in the country — a two-time All-American — has already announced her intentions to leave Iowa State and play her last season of college basketball elsewhere. Crooks is eligible to enter the WNBA Draft early but is committed to playing one more college season.

Crooks is one of the most unique players in the country, a back-to-the-basket center who posted up on 70 percent of her offensive possessions. She was the second-leading scorer in the country this season, averaging 25.8 points on 64.9 percent shooting, also the second-highest mark. But her skillset demands that the offense be built around her — for good reason, as the Cyclones ranked in the 98th percentile of offensive rating in 2025-26 — and she has significant defensive limitations. Iowa State didn’t make it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in any of her three seasons.

The talent is undeniable, if a new team can figure out how to harness Crooks’ skills in a different situation. Here are some options for Crooks’ new landing spot.

Texas

If any team could cover for Crooks defensively, it is the Longhorns. That roster is oozing with length and athleticism at every other position, and with Kyla Oldacre graduating, Texas could use some reinforcements at center. The Longhorns also prioritize scoring in the paint, which is where Crooks makes her bread and butter.

There are some pretty substantial stylistic concerns. Crooks does well when surrounded by 3-point shooting, and even though Texas has capable shooters, it doesn’t attempt many 3s. Vic Schaefer demands much defensively, and Crooks probably doesn’t meet the Texas standard, even after an offseason in the system. But if the Longhorns don’t win the national title and need an offensive boost to take the next step, Crooks could be a creative fit if both sides are willing to compromise. Crooks would have to play fewer minutes and expend more energy defensively (luckily, Breya Cunningham is still around), and Texas could modify its spacing to amplify her strengths.

Arizona State

This is an opportunity to remain in the Big 12 conference with a program on the rise, led by a good young coach, Molly Miller. The Sun Devils didn’t have enough offensive firepower to compete with the better teams in their league, ranking in the 53rd percentile in offensive rating, and it would be an easy adjustment for Crooks to play against the same competition in her senior season. Miller was flexible with her defensive schemes in her first season at Arizona State and could find a way to hide Crooks’ weaknesses. The Sun Devils aren’t ready to compete for a national title in 2026-27, but with Crooks, Ruby Whitehorn and a good portal class, this could be among the Big 12’s best teams.

Minnesota

Keep Crooks in the Midwest with a team that needs some size, especially with Sophie Hart graduating. Minnesota plays at a glacially slow pace and would greatly benefit from a post-up presence in its offensive system. The Golden Gophers have good and willing 3-point shooters in Grace Grocholski, Tori McKinney and Mara Braun to spread the floor for Crooks. Minnesota was good enough to host the first two rounds of the tournament this season and could move into top-10 contention with Crooks on the roster. This would also be a great landing spot for Addy Brown to join Crooks if the Iowa State teammates want to remain together.

North Carolina

Another team that plays pretty slow and doesn’t have much of an interior presence, allowing Crooks to slot in cleanly. Elina Aarnisalo is a quality point guard who can get the ball to Crooks, and Cierra Toomey likes to shoot from distance (even if her shotput form didn’t lend itself to great results in 2025-26). It’s hard to imagine Crooks going this far from home — and frankly, playing in blue — but the Tar Heels have a style of play that makes sense for her. Plus, like Minnesota, North Carolina was a hosting team this season and close to being a true contender in the ACC.

Notre Dame

The idea of pairing Hannah Hidalgo and Crooks is too much fun. They couldn’t be more different — a tiny, jitterbug guard who never stops moving and a methodical big — but they’re multi-time All-Americans who need some help. It’s probably unrealistic to put Crooks in a system that is so transition and pick-and-roll-heavy; for context, Crooks was in 17 pick-and-roll possessions all season, per Synergy. But let’s put two of the more enjoyable players in the country together and see what mad science experiment ensues.