'There’s no bad blood': Audi Crooks addresses transferring from Iowa State

Audi Crooks is from Algona, Iowa. She committed to the Iowa State Cyclones out of high school and became one of the best college basketball players in the country.

In three seasons at Iowa State, Crooks averaged 28.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

She was a three-time All-American and a local legend.

And yet, this past offseason, she entered the transfer portal and left Ames, Iowa, for a Big 12 rival.

Audi Crooks opens up about decision to transfer from Iowa State

Now a member of the Oklahoma State Cowgirls, Crooks told On3 that her leaving ISU had nothing to do with any hurt feelings.

“I think that’ll always be a part of my story; there’s no love lost for me,” Crooks told Brian Jones of On3. “There’s no bad blood for me at all. I enjoyed my time. And I feel like a lot of my teammates also decided to move on. So, I’m excited to continue to watch them grow and thrive in whatever environment.”

This was a tough offseason for head coach Bill Fennelly and the Cyclones. Nine players left via the transfer portal. Crooks was the headliner but starters Addy Brown, Kenzie Hare and Jada Williams left as well.

All told, ISU will be returning only three players from last season's 22-10 squad that lost in the first round of the tournament.

For Crooks, the decision to leave had more to do with her WNBA future than anything.

“Part of the reason that I went to OSU is because they have a more WNBA-style professional system,” Crooks said. “It’s run and gun, it’s pick and roll, so I’m ready to get acclimated to that atmosphere," she said.

In 31 games played, Crooks averaged 25.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game as a junior for Iowa State last season.

"She has been one of the country’s most dominant scorers over the last few years, and to think she will be in a Cowgirl uniform feels surreal," said Oklahoma State head coach Jacie Hoyt.