Iowa State’s Audi Crooks rises to No. 1 in scoring rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Iowa State star Audi Crooks delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent college basketball history, dropping a career-high 47 points in just 33 minutes during the Cyclones’ 106–95 win over previously unbeaten Indiana. Crooks powered her way to the program-record total on 25 shot attempts and 76 percent shooting, adding nine points at the free-throw line and officially climbing to No. 1 in Division I scoring at 27.6 points per game, edging past Hannah Hidalgo’s 27.3 average. The 47-point eruption set a new scoring standard for both the Iowa State women’s and men’s programs and marked the second time this season she broke her own record, following a 43-point performance in only 19 minutes against Valparaiso.
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What makes Crooks’ dominance so remarkable is the inevitability of it. Everyone in the arena knows Iowa State’s best option is feeding the ball inside, but stopping her is another story. With her precise footwork, soft touch, and unmatched efficiency around the rim, Crooks remains nearly unguardable. Even Indiana, a team that entered the matchup undefeated and boasting elite defensive talent, had no answer. Senior guard Shay Ciezki kept the Hoosiers competitive with a career-high 38 points, but even that wasn’t enough to slow Crooks or spoil Iowa State’s perfect 9–0 start.
Beyond her headline-grabbing stat lines, Crooks’ season is defined by steady growth and exceptional consistency. The junior center has recorded multiple double-digit rebound games and continues to be a force on both ends of the floor. Her offensive leap has been especially impressive. As a freshman, she averaged 19.2 points per game. She elevated that number to 23.4 as a sophomore. Now, at 27.6 points per game, Crooks has taken yet another major step forward, evolving into one of the most efficient and unstoppable scoring threats in the nation.
Her production is even more eye-catching considering her position. High-usage, high-efficiency centers are rare in today’s college game—comparable to only the elite bigs at the professional level. When a center dominates night after night the way Crooks has, it draws immediate national attention.
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Crooks’ rise also stands out statistically among the country’s top scorers. In the top 50 nationally, she is one of just two centers to appear on the leaderboard. The next closest at her position is Penn State’s Gracie Merkle, who averages 23.0 points per game, more than four points fewer than Crooks. Even the players closest to her in scoring haven’t matched her efficiency or consistency, and with slight discrepancies in games played across the leaderboard, the top spot may continue to shift. But for now, Crooks is the clear scoring leader.
Audi Crooks isn’t simply having a breakout season. She’s building one of the most dominant resumes in college basketball, establishing herself as a national star and one of the sport’s most unstoppable forces. While her size may raise questions at first glance, her skill set, poise, and willingness to take over games make her a true game-changer and the centerpiece of Iowa State’s success.
