Meet Audi Crooks, Iowa State’s rookie sensation who scores 40 in an epic 20-point March Madness rally vs Maryland
With an incredible second-half rally, the Cyclones wreaked havoc on the Terrapins. And in the middle of the chaos was Audi Crooks.
With 40 points and an incredible 18 of 20 field goal shooting, the true freshman put on an incredible display. Along with her double-double, she led all players with two blocks and recorded the game’s highest 12 rebounds.
No. 10 At 1:28 remaining in the first half, Maryland had a 50-30 lead over No. 7 Iowa State. The Terrapins were leading 52–36 at halftime when the teams proceeded to their locker rooms. It seemed like Maryland would easily win that game against a young Iowa State squad.
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However, the Cyclones and Crooks had different plans. Following Texas A&M’s 21-point comeback against Penn in 2017, Iowa’s 57-34 victory over the Terrapins in the NCAA Tournament ranks as the second-largest comeback in program history. Crooks scored 22 points in the second half.
“At halftime coach [Bill Fennelly] told us what we do is up to us,” After the game, Crooks stated. “The way that this falls, if this is how we want to go out, that’s up to us. What happens on the floor is our responsibility. It’s our fault. They can’t play the game for us, and it was just a matter of pride just knowing that we weren’t playing to our best abilities, and then going out there showing what we can do and we did that.”
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The fact that Friday was Crooks’ first NCAA Tournament matchup was arguably the most remarkable and a sign of Iowa State’s promising future. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, her 40 points were the highest for a player making their NCAA Tournament debut in the previous 25 years and the second-highest of all time, only surpassed by Barbara Kennedy’s 43 points from the first NCAA women’s basketball tournament, in which Kennedy was a senior.
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Moreover, Crooks made history by being the first player in Tournament history to shoot 90% from the field and score at least 40 points.
Here is all the information you require on Iowa State’s top freshman basketball player.
More About Audi Crooks.
For Iowa State, Crooks is a true freshman center. Crooks was the first freshman from Iowa State to be selected an honorable mention AP All-American in her first year of eligibility.
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Her initial selection to the starting five did not come until Game No. 5 of the season; she did not start the season as the starter. She hasn’t turned back since. Since being appointed a starter, Crooks has scored ten or more points in each of the games. Eight double-doubles are also on her resume.
Crooks is listed as standing 6-3 at Iowa State.
High school career of Audi Crooks
Crooks attended Iowa’s Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona. Her 2023 HoopGurlz Recruiting espnW 100 rating at the time of her high school graduation was No. 57.
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According to her school bio, Crooks won two Class 1A state championships, served as captain of the Class 1A all-tournament team twice, and was a member of the Class 1A all-tournament team four times while in high school.
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Still, she was more than just an exceptional basketball player. Crooks was a two-time Class 1A shot put state champion in 2021 and 2023. She also participated in volleyball and track & field.
The parents of Audi Crooks
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Jimmie Crooks and Michelle Cook are the parents of Crooks. According to The Messenger, Jimmie Crooks, a 6-8 forward for Fort Dodger in 1984–85, averaged 14.5 points per game. Both of her parents were exceptional basketball players throughout their high school years. At Bishop Garrigan High in Algona, Iowa, Cook was the all-time top scorer when she graduated, however, the record has since been reset. The present number worn by Crooks, 55, was worn by both of his parents.
At the age of 55, Jimmie Crooks passed away on August 14, 2021.
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“Before every game, I just try to take a moment and I pray and I am kind of seeking guidance from my father, he passed away when I was 16 in 2021. So I just try to kinda take a second and ground myself and tap into my spiritual side and just know that everything’s going to be OK and he’s got the best seat in the house,” After Friday’s victory, Audi Crooks remarked.
