In NCAA women’s basketball, records are often broken by players who fit a certain mold. Audi Crooks, the formidable center for the Iowa State Cyclones, breaks those records by refusing to fit any mold at all. Born measuring nearly 28 inches and weighing 9.9 pounds, Crooks’ physical stature has been a part of her narrative since day one—a narrative that has, unfortunately, been peppered with unfair public scrutiny.
Crooks is more than just an image to be commented upon; she is a statistical outlier and a beacon of resilience. Just recently, she stunned the Big 12 by dropping 41 points in a game, equaling a regular-season record untouched since 1984. This achievement marked her fourth consecutive game scoring 30 points or more, making her only the fifth player in the last 15 years of women`s college basketball to achieve such a streak. Furthermore, she leads the nation this season with three 40-point games.
The Irresistible Logic of “Old School” Dominance
Despite her dominance, critics remain determined to minimize her success, often citing her physical strength as a crutch. They insist she only scores “easy points underneath the basket.” Her response to such technical critiques is delivered with a refreshing dose of humility and technical confidence:
“I say this with the utmost humility: it works.”
At 6-foot-3 and nearly 220 pounds, Crooks’ power game earned her the nickname “Lady Shaq”—a comparison that, while intended to highlight her dominance, often feels like a reductive measure against male players. However, basketball legends recognize the purity of her skill. Kevin Garnett, a former teammate of O`Neal, described Crooks’ game as possessing “old-school fundamentals combined with new-generation dominance.” Similarly, analyst Rebecca Lobo noted the undeniable effectiveness of her unique style:
“You`re fascinated by her because you rarely see a player with her build, who moves like her, who has her footwork and her hands. She is effective in using her size and embracing her physicality.”
Weaponizing Kindness Against Online Cruelty
The intense spotlight shone on an NCAA star inevitably attracts attention, but for Crooks, it brought something far more corrosive: body shaming. She first dealt with this scrutiny as a young teenager when she was still developing physically.
“The first time ESPN posted about me, I was in seventh or eighth grade and was still undeveloped,” Crooks recalled. “To be 13 years old and see adults talking about you and your body more than your game is crazy. It was too much, impossible to handle.”
The invasion of haters forced her to find refuge in her family and teammates. Her mother, Michelle Vitzthum (a legendary scorer herself), offered a guiding principle that Crooks adopted as her shield: “Just try to kill them with kindness, because that way you won`t give them ammunition to retaliate.” This philosophy has shaped Crooks’ public approach, focusing instead on internal values.
“The things that are constant in your life, the things that bring you joy and positivity, the things you excel at and are working toward—those are the things that should shape you. Not the others,” she asserts.
A Student, Musician, and Athlete
While basketball demands much of her time, Crooks is committed to a world beyond the paint. She is an accomplished musician, having played five instruments, including the trumpet in the school band and the drums at church. She was also a talented thrower, winning three state titles in shot put.
When it came time to choose a college, her decision reflected her priority of self-worth over athletic prestige. She chose Iowa State (where she is studying Criminal Justice and Sociology) because Coach Bill Fennelly and his staff committed to recruiting her as a whole person, not just a basketball asset.
Crooks remembers feeling “loved as a person, not just for what I do on a basketball court.” When a disgruntled fan questioned her ability to play at the college level, Fennelly quickly shut down the criticism, asserting, “We are not recruiting someone to sit on the bench.”
Honoring a Legacy of Strength
The greatest pillar of strength in Crooks’ life was her father, Jimmie Crooks, a former basketball star who passed away in 2021 after years of serious health issues (including heart attacks, daily dialysis, and amputation). Audi dedicated herself to caring for him, cooking meals and helping him navigate daily life.
To honor her father, Audi wears the number 55—a tribute shared with both Jimmie and her mother, who was also a high school standout. She also carries a tattoo on her arm: the word `Pops` inked alongside a halo and wings, accompanied by one of his favorite Bible verses, Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
“It’s just a constant reminder, even though my father is not physically here, I know he is here spiritually,” Crooks said. She often finds herself touching the tattoo—before class, at home, or during pre-game warmups—a quiet confirmation that her journey, defined by excellence and kindness, is paved with his legacy.
