Is Audi Crooks an all-time NCAA great?

Iowa State center Audi Crooks has been on a tear to start the 2025-2026 season.

The 6-foot-3 center is averaging a nation-leading 27.3 points per game, highlighted by a career-high 47 in the Cyclones’ most recent matchup with Indiana on Sunday.

It marked her second 40-point outing on the year, following her previous all-time best of 43 earlier in the year against Valparaiso.

Not only has she amassed a large quantity of points, but they’ve been scored via extreme efficiency from the Iowa native. Her 74.4% field goal percentage also leads the nation and has improved her 60.5% mark from last year.

With numbers like those, Crooks has worked herself into conversations about being one of the most dominant players in the history of NCAA women’s basketball. While her scoring stats are clearly elite, she does leave a bit to be desired in other areas of the game.

Crooks has averaged 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, neither of which ranks in the top 150 nationwide. While a center can be excused for having lower assist numbers, she’s being out-rebounded by a shorter teammate.

The Cyclone star is having an all-time scoring season, but she hasn’t been as dominant as a player is needed to be considered one of the best. Here are some players who illustrate what it means to be great.

1 - Breanna Stewart, Forward, UConn, 2013-2016

Stewart won four consecutive championships as a Husky and was named Most Outstanding Player in each of the title runs.

The 6-foot-4 forward won AP Player of the Year in each of her final three seasons, being named an All-American in each of the same seasons. She also won two Wade trophies, Naismith awards and Wooden awards.

Clearly a highly decorated player, Stewart’s stats back up the hardware. She averaged 17.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. Her NCAA success resulted in Stewart being the first overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft.

While not as elite a scorer as Crooks, her all-around play and packed trophy case make it hard not to consider her the greatest player in NCAA history.

2 - Diana Taurasi, Guard, UConn, 2001-2004

Another UConn player, Taurasi, won 3 NCAA championships with the Huskies. She was named the Most Outstanding Player in two of the runs, and was a three-time All-American.

Taurasi was instrumental in each of the NCAA championship runs for the Huskies, averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game during her four-year career.

The 6-foot guard also went No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft, being selected by the Phoenix Mercury in 2004.

3 - Caitlin Clark, Guard, Iowa, 2021-2024

Clark is not only one of the greatest NCAA players ever, but one of the most popular. Her impact on the game has brought NCAA and WNBA viewership to some of the highest levels ever seen, and for good reason.

While she never won a championship as a Hawkeye, Clark was a two-time AP Player of the Year, a four-year All-American, and made two NCAA All-Tournament teams.

Her career 28.4 points per game are tied with Patricia Hoskins for most in NCAA history, and 3,951 points are the highest total by any Division 1 player. She also ranks high in assists, with 8.2 per game.

Her lack of a championship holds her back a bit, but her all-time greatness was rewarded with a first-overall WNBA draft selection by the Indiana Fever in 2024.

4. Chamique Holdsclaw, Forward, Tennessee, 1996-1999

Holdsclaw won three NCAA titles with the Volunteers and was an All-American in each of her four collegiate seasons. She was also a two-time AP Player of the Year.

The New York native averaged 20.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and was selected first overall in the 1999 WNBA draft.

5. Cheryl Miller, Forward, Southern California, 1983-1986

Miller was a two-time NCAA champion as a Trojan and was a four-time All-American. She was also a two-time national Player of the Year and two-time Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA tournament.

Her 23.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per game are both among the most in NCAA history. Had the WNBA existed, she likely would’ve been a high draft pick, but instead went on to coach and broadcast after her career ended.

Where does Crooks rank?

Audi Crooks is clearly an elite scorer, but her resume simply isn’t up to par with the greats above, let alone the vast list of names that aren’t in the top five. Her only major accolade is being a third-team All-American last season and being a two-time All-Big 12 selection.

She’s only a junior, and her clear scoring talent is there, but if she wants to go down as one of the best to ever do it, she’ll have to pick up some more big-time awards to get into that conversation.

Elliott Inscho is a first-year student majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact him, email eli5026@psu.edu