Heading into the 2025-26 NCAA season, much of the hype and excitement around bigs was mainly attributed to UCLA's supremely talented Lauren Betts. However, Iowa State has its own superstar big, and her name is Audi Crooks. The junior's sensational scoring numbers are slowly creating a narrative that few could have predicted—Crooks could be the most intriguing prospect throughout the college game.
The Cyclones have emphatically started their campaign, winning all nine of their opening fixtures, and are now occupying the top spot in the Big 12 standings. Forward Addy Brown and guard Jada Williams have played a pivotal role during Iowa's dominant run in the regular season, but the level of performance that Crooks is exhibiting on a regular basis has been nothing short of phenomenal. It also sparks an interest question: Could Audi Crooks be a more exciting draft prospect than Lauren Betts once she is eligible to take her talent to the WNBA?
Audi Crooks is becoming inevitable
In this day and age, college stars are hyped up to unattainable heights, which often leads to immense pressure and scrutiny before they have even signed their first professional contract. In the case of Audi Crooks, the hype is justified.
Stating that someone who is only in their third year of college could be a more valuable asset to a WNBA franchise than a player who possesses the attributes of Betts may seem excessive. But the numbers that Crooks is currently recording are magnificent and make a compelling argument for this declaration.
During her most recent outing in a 106-95 triumph over the Indiana Hoosiers, Crooks smashed the Iowa State single-game scoring record (43, set by herself) by scoring 47 points, while draining 19 of her 25 shots from the floor.
Not only has the 20-year-old managed to make history in a single game, but she has been in stunning form for the entire campaign, averaging 27.3 points per game with a field-goal percentage of 74.4%. Crooks has attained these statistics while featuring for around 25 minutes per matchup.
According to the Big 12 Conference analyst, Rachel Galligan, Crooks has demolished another record as she has become the first player in D1 history to average 25+ points on 70%+ shooting after nine regular-season games. An accomplishment that may never be replicated.
Audi Crooks is the only DI player this century to average 25.0+ points on 70.0+ percent shooting through her first nine games of the season.
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) December 2, 2025
Her 246 total points are the most by a @Big12Conference player through 9 games since Baylor’s Odyssey Sims in 2013-14 (265). pic.twitter.com/RsxFdbK1I5
In comparison, her Bruins counterpart has not exhibited her usual high levels of performance. Lauren Betts is averaging 13.3 points per game, while shooting 57.9% from the floor. Fortunately for UCLA's leading light, her talented teammates have stepped up during her struggles.
Although statistics should only be the start of the conversation and not the end of one, Crooks' scoring antics are unmatched and are majorly overshadowing a player who is expected to be a WNBA lottery selection come the end of the year.
It may be too early to suggest that Audi Crooks is a more exciting prospect than Lauren Betts, given that the Iowa State center is not expected to be eligible for the draft until 2027. Yet, due to the sheer level of dominance she is displaying on the offensive end of the court, it's difficult to come to many other conclusions.