Audi Crooks Makes Every Minute Count

Audi Crooks wastes no time. Eleven games into Iowa State’s season, the 6-foot-3 junior forward is the nation’s leading scorer, averaging close to 28 points per game while playing less than 26 minutes per game. Her best performances can somehow be both clinical and overpowering.

Earlier this season against Valparaiso, Crooks set the Cyclones’ single-game scoring record with 43 points in just under 20 minutes. The low playing time was because of a stomach bug she was dealing with that night, but as she’s wont to do, she kept it moving. “The night didn’t start so well for me,” she explained afterward. “I came out in the first quarter and had to ditch my pre-game meal.” When she checked back into the game, she made up for lost time. Her pregame meal ditched, Crooks packed another 33 points into her final 14 minutes. It was no surprise that she waited just a couple weeks to break the record again. On a cool 19-of-25 shooting, she put up 47 points against Indiana. Fair enough. Why wait?