The Player Quietly Dominating College Basketball - Iowa State's Audi Crooks

[@tmorgan7939]

Quita, thanks for doing the job of scouring the whole women's college landscape and highlighting this young woman. I think the more main stream writers tend to cover the ones who already have the spotlight on them. I don't want to call them lazy - yeah, maybe I do . They can do a lot better.

[@kathleen1500]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Audi!! She’s just as awesome a person as she is on the court. Thank you for shining the spotlight on her! 🌟

[@Faustj515]

Another great women’s basketball player from Iowa. Our state has great tradition of good women’s basketball with lots of good player and unbelievable fan support. It is nice to see Audi getting some attention and doing well. She and Caitlin have shown lots of class off the court also. I do wish that she could loose some of the weight so she didn’t get tired so quickly but it is hard to argue with the way she plays.

[@determined6607]

I have been watching Iowa State since last year just b/c Audi Crooks. That girl is a problem in the paint. And she has gotten even better since last year. I like your highlights about this less well known players. Thanks!

[@geminiascension7018]

Audi caught my attention last year so, I've been following her. Thanks for giving this great player your time & coverage!!!

[@sammy2840]

Iowa fan here! She is a BEAST! I watched our Centers bang into her…she never moved! And man can she shoot!

[@Charl_19]

Awesome Video Quita! I appreciate where you're going in focusing on young women who are tearing it up on the court. Look forward to future videos.

[@elijahhunterii4323]

Audi is nice! It's refreshing to see her dominate the inside game. Interested to see how her footwork continues to improve from year to year. There are soooo many good college players nice to hear somebody passionate about them and their game. Great Work Quita!!

[@roberthoneywell]

I started watching her last year. I think she has the best hands in women's college hoops. She rarely gets picked and she's almost impossible to stop if she gets it on the block. Throw in that sweet little fade away with the incredibly soft touch.....wow! She's gold! Love her....go Audi.

[@AdrienneDupree]

I love Audi. I became aware of her when Iowa State played UMD last year.

[@billiegraham4725]

Audi is a fantastic basketball player! Thanks for spotlighting her!

[@Steve-n8h]

Audi is the real deal she can ball with the best watching her grow up has been a joy ride thanks Audi keep up the great work

[@TemT8]

I watched the Iowa vs Iowa State game a month back or so and that was the first time I saw Crooks play. I thought she played fantastic. For her size she, like you said has great footwork, and just plays the paint so well.

[@lindysmallwood2039]

Audi is killing it in the paint. Great jump shot. I’ve watch her several times. Tough young lady. These kind of players is what grows the game. Media needs to get it together. Thanks Quita for giving recognition to these players. We need more analysis like you to help grow women’s basketball 🩷🏀

[@catchnkill]

She is very skillful. Not just that. She can turn both left and right. A forward turn will lead to a right hand jump shot. A backward turn will lead to left arm hook shoot layup. She can always press a shoulder against the defender's chest when making her turn. A very good W player in the making.

[@rbris1606]

Quita, you’re absolutely excelling on your QLB channel! Your detailed insights into women’s college and pro basketball players, coaches, teams, and organizations are outstanding. I truly enjoy how you break down players by providing their height, size, position, class, and a comprehensive analysis of their playing style on both offense and defense, along with their character off the court. Your ability to include colorful, informative tidbits about their playing history, stats, and rankings by position, class, conference, and nationally adds incredible depth and makes your content truly engaging. As I mentioned in an earlier post, your rhythm and voice flow have improved significantly. Way to go! Your summary updates are sharp and on point. You do your homework. 👍 Keep up the great work, and please continue sharing updates on the lesser-known and under-the-radar players and teams that we should keep an eye on. Your work is invaluable to the basketball community! 🏀 👍

[@ColleenYourAccess2me]

Audi is amazing... not the typical basketball player getting all the attention... but she is amazing!

[@Dean-hy8zb]

I came across Audi last year. Love watching her play. If you have a chance, look for her highlight clips and her interview clips. Such a sweet girl, down to earth, and one of the happiest players I’ve seen. A joy to watch.

[@def1ghi]

Audi has a great touch but that is about it. We saw her play recently here at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City and as soon as Iowa's more assertive bigs (freshman Ava Heiden and Junior Hannah Stuelke) started fronting her and not letting Audi get the ball where she wanted it, Audi got shut down. She only got four points in the forth quarter, two bunnies in garbage time. Seriously: watch the last half of the third quarter and see how Ava Heiden (number five for Iowa) started to shut her DOWN. Ava is a FRESHMAN. I don't know why other teams don't watch that film and learn how to handle Audi.

[@RCIowaUCLADiehardFan]

Ava Heiden is gonna be soooo good...

[@IowaGrandpaTrain]

I’ve watched several of Iowa State’s games and I particularly paid attention to Audi. She is Iowa State’s leading scorer because they feed it to her knowing that her size will help her score. But I don’t think she’s played against anyone who is bigger or has a longer reach than she has and I think she will not do as well against a “bigger Big”. Nonetheless she is a player to watch.

[@def1ghi]

@@IowaGrandpaTrain Audi has amazing hands and a really nice soft shot but honestly, Ava Heiden and Hannah also just wore her down. Conditioning might be a growth area.

[@andrewhicks8340]

​@@def1ghiFor sure. When she started as a freshman her minutes were very limited because of conditioning. I've read she has been working hard on that in the off-season and she keeps getting better and better.

[@def1ghi]

@@andrewhicks8340 Iowa has four bigs who can rotate: Ava, Hannah, Addison O'Grady, and AJ Edinger. Hannah is the shortest at 6'2" but they can all stand up in the post and wear down one opponent.

[@GhostofGerulaitis]

Thank you for the player profiles, Quita. Good stuff. Much obliged.

[@bigonion79]

I watched her 4 years in high school on the other team. What stands out to me is her hands. Has some of the best hands I have ever seen.

[@icitnow]

I am glad you're bringing up Audi. Post players seem to be lost in the shuffle when it comes to WCBB, with sports talk dominated by Juju, Paige, Hannah and Olivia. Even players like Lauren Betts are not often mentioned. (actually the whole UCLA team isn't mentioned often, for some reason?) I really like Audi. She's a great player, and seems to be a great teammate, and person. I think she will only continue to get better and better. If she's this good now, can you imagine her junior or senior year (if she decides to stay at Iowa State one last year). You mentioned that she needs to work on things. Yes, and one of those things has been a touchy one: her weight. She is amazingly agile considering that she is a big gal. Can you imagine Audi if she lost 10-15, maybe 20 pounds? Hard to imagine that. As of now, her teammates have to slow the offense down, and the strategy is to wait for her to get downcourt so that they can pass the ball to her after she gets position. This makes the game slower. I looked at stats and her teammates-save for Addy are averaging lower numbers, possibly due to this strategy. Compare this to UCLA's strategy, where options are: Betts running downcourt, with her guards, forwards, getting position and scoring before defenses are set, OR Kiki or Gabriela scoring on a drive, or a 3. Same thing for Kansas State with Ayoka Lee. Also Oklahoma with Reagan Beers. (another team kind of ignored) Lee, Beers might not be quick as Betts but they can get downcourt in a hurry, after a miss or evading a press. Scoring for both UCLA and Kansas State's team-the starters, as a whole is pretty balanced without Betts and Lee, respectively. I want Crooks to succeed, and do well. I like her style of play. I think losing just 10-15 pounds would make her quicker, be able to play more minutes and open up the team for more offensive schemes.

[@roee78]

I peeped this young lady Audi last year as a freshman. Awesome player.

[@lenglish1264]

Quita always enjoy your channel. Great giving props and eyes to the young, upcoming players. Your point. Love seeing the young sophomores and freshman women coming with their game!!!

[@andrewhicks8340]

She won three straight championships in shot put while in high school and I think holds the state record. That's her body build; a shot-putter. Emphasis on explosive strength, not endurance. Amazing player, all the best to her.

[@waynebargiel9598]

Glad to see that Audi Crooks has made the transition from High School Star to College Star. We need more Student Athletes like Audi Crooks.

[@llcooljay520]

I actually got to be announcer for a HS game of Audi’s. She has some seriously amazing skills. She has some obvious weaknesses. I’m intrigued to see her future!

[@lbrakke]

Audi is amazing, always like watching her. Tessa Johnson from South Carolina is worth some comment too. I agree with you Larson is awesome!

[@Criminal.Lawyer.2024]

Quita is the best WBB analyst. Much better than the major networks because she goes in depth, outside of popular culture and the big-name schools, and shines a light on _*TALENT*_.

[@doug6013]

Audi is a great athlete. She really made Camron Brink work when ISU played Stanford in the NCAA tournament last year. When Audi is getting a lot of minutes, she does seem to get Tired rather quickly.

[@ericMT]

It’s true. You first see her and are like “what the heck” but then you see she’s actually really athletic and has skill. She’s a real contributor for her team and I can see her becoming a good WNBA player. She has good height and honestly she uses her size to her advantage better than most college players. She seems like a great person too and as much as I dislike Iowa State, I can recognize a good player when I see them. As she develops, she will get her fitness up if she wants to take basketball seriously as a profession. It will take time but that’s fine.

[@stevecourtois3741]

she is not a GREAT athlete .

[@rondafun1]

Watched her at the Iowa game, she is a beast.

[@Tiamichelle24]

Audi is a beast on the boards and a great scorer getting up and down the floor!

[@Knottypinesz]

Thanks for this hat tip to a great player!

[@johnbrady1500]

That is a strong young woman. She moves well too. When she gets the ball down low she looks unstoppable.

[@danielwalbridge1406]

Dang, she's an athletic beast! Go Audi!

[@Ice-c-o8q]

Quita, another great video! 🐕🐕 Put my own dogs in there because apparently Princess and Mr. President weren't allowed any screen time today.😢

[@latoyajavis7511]

Tessa Johnson needs to be talked about more! Definitely a Dawg!

[@kayelisejay18]

I like Tessa’s game she steps up a lot for SC

[@AccipiterF1]

I love her game.

[@dmartin6246]

Tessa, LIGHTS OUT, Johnson should be talked about more.

[@gregorybryant6610]

She should be starting instead of Hall.That's why their starting so slow this year. They need a big scorer in the starting line-up.

[@vickiconley3638]

Audi is great!

[@stern12akachris32]

Audi can use her left hand .Not a lot of players as strong as her bother to learn to use both hands . She does get winded so conditioning needs to be a work on area but the Young lady has a brutal tough game.

[@aplanteer7090]

The draft class of Juju, Hidalgo, Fulwiley and Crooks will go as one of the most loaded draft in history. Crooks is hard to stop.

[@DSMIAJack]

Who the heck will Audi be able to guard in the wnba? Have you watched her play defense?

[@stevecourtois3741]

unless she gets quicker audi will not be drafted . she cant run the floor .

[@liarcheckmate701]

This comes at a tough time as I'm a big fan of Iowa State and can't help but feel really disappointed this year. Audi is amazing but with limited backcourt offensive production she's getting double and tripled more and more. She's obviously a lovely person and I sincerely wish her the best and hope she stays at Iowa State for the next two years.

[@brianwoods9552]

With the expanded Big10, it's a shame that UCLA and Iowa State don't have a conference matchup this year (i.e. Betts v Crooks)

[@anthonytaylor7928]

Iowa St is not in the Big ten

[@Roadkill515]

I'm a Hawkeye fan, and I'm disappointed Audi went to Iowa State over Iowa. Unfortunately for Audi this year, her team isn't stepping up. ISU started the year highly ranked and has been in a free fall since. Audi Crooks is really good. the rest of the team, not so much.

[@stevecourtois3741]

i am glad audi is not at iowa , to slow .

[@5thgen916]

Audi struggles against athletes with length. Her shoulder width gives her artificial wingspan but is short for a center. By all accounts she is a great teammate and takes coaching well. The team offense really takes a hit when they are in feed Audi 1st because the feed pass halts perimeter movement to an open shot. Her numbers being high will continue to cost the team losses.

[@shaifarber4243]

I have never heard of Audi (the player not the car! 😃), so thank you Q for bringing her and other ignored excellent players, into out attention. What strikes me about Audi is that she is so THICK. Not fat, thick. She has a body that I never would have associated with basket ball. I normally think of her body type to be in track and field, in Discus or shot put, which I bet she excelled at, when she was in high-school. She is very active under the basket, and unlike Angel Reese, she does finish her layups. 🙂

[@TravisGarnett]

@1:42 - #W#W! @3:10 - 👀‼

[@RCIowaUCLADiehardFan]

Audi Crooks is fire🔥 she good! Her team not that great but she is...

[@kentuckylucky5762]

Noticed her last year!! She is awesome...how much do u think the national media and spomsors hold her size agsinst her?? I think its a double standard. A guy would be followed ...i.e shaq??

[@AlonzoJohnson-l4m]

Raven Johnson 💖

[@gaylloydlawrence5939]

You Really Love Women Basketball.. I do also. Keep up the good work.

[@MichaelBenjaminSquarePegDem]

Yes, Audi has good footwork but she barely gets off the ground. Her heft and size provides her a tremendous advantage down low. More agile and strong post players will eat her lunch.

[@natureredux1957]

It's kind of hard to NOT know about Crooks. She either needs to transfer out or have a GREAT Guard transfer in. I am talking to you Kiyomi McMiller.

[@quintyss1290]

-_-' Nobody can get to Audi's layup balls because players literally *bounce* off Crooks' body and can't reach them. I don't know if that should count towards undefendable or good.

[@albertjimenez7896]

She's the Kevin McHale of women's college basketball because her footwork and pump fakes are amazing, and I'm not trying to be humorous because it's true. If you don't believe me, watch Kevin McHale's low post highlights, and you'll be convinced. To summarize, once again, Kudos to Quita for making sure that everyone has their day in the sun.

[@stevecourtois3741]

beleive me that was very humorous .

[@albertjimenez7896]

@@stevecourtois3741 I understand where you find the humor because no one in the NBA today could guard McHale at 6-foot-10 with a wingspan of 8 feet and 100 post moves to go along . LOL

[@stevecourtois3741]

@@albertjimenez7896 lol she has no post moves like kevin , thanks for making me pee my pants laughing , lolololol

[@BeautifulAfroWoman]

What about Ta’Niya Latson of Florida State? She's killing everyone.

[@QuitaLovesSports]

I made a video about her last month kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3OopoGNfKijg7ssi=2oFUCEPmW57vHALG

[@robertkeller5930]

Her father who she was very close to, died when she was in high school, junior year possibly?

[@liarcheckmate701]

Can we get a video on S'Mya Nichols? Also, at some point, Maya McDermott?

[@paulchandler9060]

Moun round of rebound in the women's division

[@andrewhicks8340]

I was thinking that too. Memories of Charles Barkley in college...

[@zealazax6287]

Audi Crooks is like a female Shaq. Strong at the post and can shoot too. But I think she is in the wrong school to even make it to the elite 8. She needs a good point guard or shooting guard to complement her.

[@dashx1103]

Crooks is amazing. I mean, 6'3 455 lbs ... she simply overpowers opponents. Amazing.

[@roee78]

She's 6'3 205 pounds. Great player.

[@ericMT]

@@roee78 I know she’s listed as 205 and I heard about her recent 45 pound weight loss which is amazing. Aliyah Boston is 6’5” and 220 for reference and they look very different. I’m 6’4” and weigh 200 and am pretty thin. But that doesn’t matter. I will NEVER make fun of her appearance and if I ever see it happening, I’m shutting it down. Bigger players with skill like she has are rare and I hope she has a great career playing basketball if that is her passion. She has that good basketball IQ that you just can’t teach.

[@stevecourtois3741]

lol yup

[@stevecourtois3741]

@@ericMT lol she has not lost 45

[@SHsparx]

Not necessarily to take anything from Crooks, but if your tall in the women's basketball league, even if your about average skill level, you're pretty much gonna dominate.

[@rossrreyes]

She tends to fall off in the 4th, but once she works on her stamina she will be dominant, if she isn’t already

[@josephbobgreen]

Sounds like someone needs to talk about Utah’s team. I haven’t heard anything about them, but they’ve beat some good teams.

[@icitnow]

I really like Utah a lot. Another former Pac 12 team that is ignored. Ines Vieira is an amazing, quick, great guard. Kneepkens is back after a season-ending injury last year. Jenna Johnson is great. The whole team is really great but they're kind of a sleeper team. No big "stars" like the ones you hear about constantly. It's a team thing with Utah.

[@analogee6858]

Big 12 players don’t get enough attention. Audi especially.

[@shaifarber4243]

After i posted my remark on Audi, I went ahead and search for her bio, and guess what, I was right! she won 3 straight titles in Iowa in shot put! I also looked at some of her highlights playing basketball, and to my mind, even though she is "ONLY" 6'3" , she is unmovable! the lithe typical girls who defend or try to attack the basket that she defend, are just bouncing of off her. I LOVE SEEING IT 🙃. I think she'll do great in the WNBA, DESPITE HER BEING SO SHORT (for a center).

[@PutzNJam]

If you like bigs, Check out Raegan Beers from my alma mater. Oklahoma University. Okay I actually got my bachelors at University of Central Oklahoma, but I did graduate work at OU and I am a big fan. Oh and my best friend is a lettered athlete from same said university. Hugz

[@oaklandtraphouse]

Shes the most dominant plsyer in college basketball easily

[@stevecourtois3741]

lol no just no

[@oaklandtraphouse]

@stevecourtois3741 who else is getting to the line more than her ?who commands a double team more ?who is depended on more than her ? 🤔

[@stevecourtois3741]

@@oaklandtraphouse not my point . she is a good college player but she has turned iowa st into a one dimensional team team . they have to wait on her to get to the front court . playing her has taken away the fast break for st . she will never play a meaningful minute in the W .

[@AaronHawk]

What does it matter if her team keeps losing?

[@mzdee2u894]

HEY QUITA

[@michelleliberman5493]

Wait til she is a senior! She already has great hands, a couple more years of conditioning and she will be W ready.

[@bobosterday3350]

Nobody double teams her! Why

[@chrisbacon5223]

Iowa beat Iowa State this year. Crooks is amazing. She needs a lot of bench time to rest. When she can play 30 minutes, watch out.

[@BobbyU808]

audi looking good. gotta lose some weight to build stamina but if sarah strong can do it so can audi

[@roee78]

She has lost 50 pounds so far. Down to 205. I think she's working on it.

[@charlesanderson1966]

@@roee78 I hope she does well but last time I saw her play she weighed more then 205

[@Jacktott-z6q]

She is a bit bigger than everyone else using that as an advantage

[@scottgraham152]

Nice episode. Just hope that young woman can maintain her weight.

[@kylewarren8065]

I like Audi BUT every time I watch a ISU game they get slaughtered. I better just stick to highlights on ESPN.

[@KB_OMeara]

She is big and strong but no stamina, no real BB moves. She is just a big bully on the court.

[@roee78]

Do you think so? She's working on her stamina. She lost 50 pounds since last year so I think she's trying to put in the work and get better. I watched her last year as a freshman and thought by her junior and senior year, she would be even better.

[@anthonytaylor7928]

Did u see her do some spin moves in this video?

[@RetroKid]

When you're just big and literally move defenders out the way. We all know how this turns out...Oliver "Pig" Miller, Escalade and Robert "Tractor" Traylor are the blueprints for this failed archetype

[@JimmieBrown-sg8fq]

Audi needs to skip past those all you can eat buffets. No way a top tier player should be that overweight. Watched her against Gamecocks after a couple fast up and down the court breaks she was done for rest of the game. They lost by 40 76-36, come on SMH!

[@DSMIAJack]

Cannot play a lick of defense

[@stevecourtois3741]

what is sad is she will never play a significant role in the W . too big , cant run.

[@bobbylee9727]

"Two Ton Tilly" making layups...oh, how thrilling: a must see? NOT

[@roee78]

Wow.

[@icitnow]

@@roee78 Is anyone surprised at the cap that the troll is wearing proudly? I'm not surprised one bit.