In the realm of women's college basketball, Audi Crooks is making waves as the current top scorer, boasting an impressive average of 26.3 points per game with a remarkable shooting percentage of 67.5%, all accomplished in just 28.4 minutes of playtime. To put this into perspective, the next closest competitor, Hannah Hidalgo, averages 24.9 points but requires over 35 minutes on the court to achieve that total.
Despite Crooks's evident prowess as a scorer, particularly in the paint, there are concerns about her future in the WNBA. Critics point to her defensive shortcomings, limited athleticism compared to other rising stars, and her tendency to be a one-dimensional scorer reliant on close-range opportunities. The trend in the WNBA is shifting away from traditional big players who lack versatility, especially when they don't possess a notable height advantage; instead, teams are favoring forwards who can adapt to various roles on the court.
Nonetheless, Crooks's scoring ability is hard to ignore. It's also important to recognize that she has not yet needed to develop a strong perimeter game, primarily because Iowa State relies heavily on her skills around the basket and excels at delivering post entry passes. Basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes emphasized her belief in Crooks’s potential, stating that any team would be wise not to overlook her despite critiques regarding her vertical leap. "How high can you jump?" Swoopes questioned on The Women’s Hoops Show with Jordan Robinson. "I don’t see teams passing up on her because she ‘can’t jump that high.’ She’s skilled—very, very skilled. At 6’3”, though, yes, she will need to enhance her perimeter game to succeed at the professional level. This doesn’t mean becoming a three-point shooter, but rather learning to step away from the basket, handle the ball effectively, and develop a reliable 10- to 15-foot jump shot.
Furthermore, Swoopes added, "If I were coaching in the WNBA, I wouldn’t pass up on Audi Crooks because she offers an abundance of talent to cultivate."
While receiving Sheryl Swoopes's endorsement undoubtedly carries significant weight, it is essential for Crooks to demonstrate that she can evolve her skill set to thrive at the next level. Currently, she dominates as an inside scorer in college, but the competition will be fierce when she faces All-WNBA talents like A’ja Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, or Aliyah Boston—each of whom will capitalize on any defensive flaws they identify.
The 2025 All-WNBA rosters featured a plethora of talented frontcourt players, all of whom possess versatile skills that extend beyond merely scoring in the paint. For instance, Wilson and Collier are threats from multiple areas on the court and excel defensively, while Thomas and Boston might not match the outside shooting of their counterparts but are known for their excellent defense and exceptional passing abilities from the post. Nneka Ogwumike, who also earned a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team, is another example of a player who combines efficiency around the rim with a dependable three-point shot.
To truly succeed at the next level, Crooks will need to diversify her game. She has already shown promise in making effective passes from the post and is open to extending her shooting range. For instance, she successfully made a jumper from the free-throw line early in a challenging game against Baylor and even knocked down a three-pointer against West Virginia. With the right guidance and commitment to her development, her offensive capabilities should continue to grow—but her defensive skills remain a significant area of concern.
