Oklahoma Among Teams Linked to Audi Crooks in Transfer Portal

The Iowa State Cyclones women’s basketball program is going to be busy this offseason, having to restock a roster that has been hit hard by attrition.

Head coach Bill Fennelly is going to have virtually an entirely new roster for the 2026-27 season. Nine players have already announced their intentions of entering the transfer portal, including star center Audi Crooks.

Crooks announced her decision with a post on Instagram and is reportedly looking for a major sum of NIL money. Reports have surfaced that her market is somewhere between $450,000 and $500,000, but she is going to ask for north of half a million dollars.

Which program could give her that money? According to Pete Nakos of On3 (subscription required), keep an eye on the Oklahoma Sooners, who have emerged as an early suitor.

Oklahoma Sooners amongst teams who will pursue Audi Crooks

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Jennie Baranczyk calling out plays. — Mar 28, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Jennie Baranczyk directs her team during the second quarter of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

“Entering the WNBA draft is an option, but Crooks will first explore her opportunities in the transfer portal. Speaking with sources around the sport, Oklahoma has been pointed to as an early school to keep tabs on,” he wrote.

Coming off an appearance in the Sweet 16, Oklahoma has a huge hole to fill in the middle of its lineup. Starting center Raegan Beers, an All-SEC First Team selection, has exhausted her eligibility and is off to the WNBA.

Crooks would be the perfect player to replace her efficient 15.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Both players are dominating presences in the paint, virtually unstoppable in the post on offense.

Aliyah Chavez, the Sooners’ leading scorer with 18.4 points per game as a freshman, would create a dynamic duo with Crooks, just as she did with Beers, this past season in Norman.

Another thing working in favor of Oklahoma is having Jennie Baranczyk as head coach. She was an assistant coach on the AmeriCup team that Crooks played on, so there is a relationship there. Also, both Baranczyk and Crooks hail from Iowa.

Notre Dame, Iowa could pursue Audi Crooks

Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo and head coach Niele Ivey at practice. — Mar 26, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) and head coach Niele Ivey during a practice session ahead of the Fort Worth Regional of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

However, the Sooners are going to be far from the only progam who pursues the Iowa State star on the transfer portal. Expect more suitors to emerge in the future, but two more to keep an eye on are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Iowa Hawkeyes.

“Notre Dame could be tied to Crooks later in the process, but it is not a factor at the moment. Another source told On3 that Iowa “could be a possibility” if Crooks wanted to stay close to home. She would partner up with Ava Heiden to create a formidable frontcourt,” Nakos added.

Notre Dame isn’t considered a factor at the moment because they are putting all of their resources toward retaining their star guard, Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Iowa cannot be counted out because of the hometown factor they carry. As Nakos noted, if Crooks doesn’t want to go too far away, the Hawkeyes will have an edge over the competition.