Audi Crooks' transfer decision surprised everyone — and is a game changer for Oklahoma State

Audi Crooks' transfer decision surprised everyone — and is a game changer for Oklahoma State originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Audi Crooks chose to spend her final college basketball season somewhere other than Iowa State.

The destination she picked, though, is one that surprised pretty much everyone.

Overnight Sunday into Monday, On3 Sports reported that Crooks has committed to play at Oklahoma State.

When Crooks left a solid Big 12 program, the thought was that she would probably move up the ladder to a more big-time operation.

Instead, she ends up at a different Big 12 program.

This past season, Crooks' Cyclones went 22-10, including 10-8 in conference play.

Oklahoma State was just a notch above, at 24-10 including 12-6 in the Big 12.

Crooks clearly is a game-changing pickup for OSU. She just completed the 2025-26 season averaging 25.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.8 blocks per game. She made 64.9% of her shots from the floor.

Given Crooks' effectiveness and her high-profile status as one of the most dominant players in women's college basketball, she's likely getting a solid NIL package to join Oklahoma State, as well.

It'll be fascinating to see how it all fits together. OSU likely assured Crooks she'll get tons of action on the block, just like she got at ISU.

Maybe the bigger programs weren't quite as inclined to run a post-centric offense, or maybe there's simply solid relationships that were built at Oklahoma State that made it feel like the best fit.

Regardless, it changes the balance of power in the Big 12 next season.