Audi Crooks, the Iowa State Cyclones’ center, is rewriting the NCAA record books while simultaneously navigating the relentless pressures of digital scrutiny. She might be called “Lady Shaq,” but her game—and her approach to life—is entirely her own.
The Unconventional Dominator: Stats That Silence Critics
At 6 feet 3 inches and approximately 220 pounds, Audi Crooks possesses a physical stature that immediately commands attention in the low post. While her size has, unfortunately, been the subject of frequent online commentary since her early teenage years, her performance on the court serves as the ultimate, indisputable reply.
Crooks recently delivered a statistical marvel against Kansas, racking up 41 points in just 30 minutes. This exceptional display tied the Big 12 record for the most points scored in a regular-season game—a mark that had stood untouched since 1984. Furthermore, Crooks has managed four consecutive games with at least 30 points, making her only the fifth player in the last 15 years of women`s college basketball to achieve this feat.
Yet, even historic dominance attracts cynics. Some critics dismiss her scoring prowess, suggesting she only scores “easy points” close to the basket. Crooks’ response is delivered with a refreshing blend of humility and technical confidence:
“Sometimes they say all I do is score easy points under the basket. I say this with the utmost humility: it works.”
Basketball legend Kevin Garnett, a teammate of Shaquille O’Neal during his career, noted that Crooks exhibits “old-school fundamentals combined with new-generation dominance.” This assessment perfectly encapsulates her style: leveraging brute force and textbook footwork to achieve outcomes that are undeniably modern.
Navigating the Digital Noise: Kindness as Ammunition
Crooks’ journey through college sports has been shadowed by unwarranted scrutiny. When ESPN first posted about her in middle school, she was barely developed, yet adults flocked to comment on her body rather than her game. Crooks admits that being 13 and seeing that level of negativity was overwhelming.
In an era where athletes are expected to be physically flawless and emotionally impenetrable, Crooks offers a crucial perspective on resilience. She prioritizes her internal sense of worth, stating, “The things that are constant in your life—the things that bring you joy and positivity, the things you excel at and are working on—these are the things that should shape you. Not the others.”
Her family has served as her bedrock against the onslaught of online “haters.” Her mother’s advice became a guiding philosophy:
“Just try to kill them with kindness, because that way you won`t give them ammunition to fire back.”
This approach highlights a key element of the new generation of athletes: success is not just about points scored, but about maintaining integrity and mental health in a toxic virtual environment.
The Multifaceted Athlete: Beyond the Paint
If critics focused solely on Crooks` imposing presence in the lane, they miss the extensive depth of her character and talent. Crooks is a highly accomplished individual outside of basketball.
- She plays five musical instruments and was previously involved in a jazz club and the school band (playing the trumpet).
- She excelled in track and field, capturing three state titles in the shot put.
- At Iowa State, she is pursuing a demanding double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology.
Her choice of Iowa State was deliberately personal. While being heavily recruited by top universities, she sought a place where she felt valued beyond her athletic output. Coach Bill Fennelly and his staff went to great lengths during recruitment, prioritizing her as a person—sending photos of her future locker and even defending her from critics who doubted her college-level readiness. Crooks chose Iowa State because, as she put it, it “made me feel loved as a person, not just for what I do on a basketball court.”
The Legacy of Number 55: Family, Faith, and Fortitude
Crooks wears the number 55 as a tribute to both of her parents. Her mother, Michelle Vitzthum, was one of the all-time leading scorers for her high school team, and her late father, Jimmie Crooks, was a basketball star who played college ball before his health deteriorated.
Jimmie Crooks passed away in 2021 after years of serious health struggles, including multiple heart attacks, kidney dialysis, and a leg amputation. During his final years, Audi took on the role of caregiver—cooking for him, helping him move, and running errands. This profound experience instilled a fierce maturity and dedication in her.
On her arm, Crooks has a tattoo reading “Pops” alongside a halo, wings, and one of her father’s favorite Bible verses, Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This serves as a constant spiritual reminder. As Crooks stated, “It`s just a constant reminder, even though my father is not here physically, I know he is here spiritually. I can feel his presence.”
Audi Crooks is not merely a center who dominates the paint. She is an athlete who absorbs pressure, internalizes wisdom, and uses her platform to demonstrate that true strength lies in technical skill, emotional grace, and unwavering character. The numbers confirm her dominance, but her story confirms her magnitude.
