Let's Hear It for Audi Crooks - Big XII Freshman of the Week

[pourcyne]

ISU’s Crooks claims Big 12 weekly honor

IRVING, Texas — Iowa State women’s basketball player Audi Crooks has earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors following a 20-point performance in a 105-68 win over Troy on Sunday. It marks the first weekly award of Crooks’ career and the first award for an Iowa State player this season. Crooks...

www.timesrepublican.com

Iowa Native Audi Crooks Named Big XII Freshman of the Week

(Ames, IA) - Awards and Audi just sound like a perfect combination as Iowa State's Audi Crooks was named the B...

westerniowatoday.com

Crooks Earns First Big 12 Weekly Award - Iowa State University Athletics

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State women's basketball player Audi Crooks has earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors following a 20-point performance in a 105-68 w...

cyclones.com

 

[JimDogRock]

So deserving. Audi's been phenomenal.
I'm hoping the addition of that trailing 3 pointer is for real. Even if she only takes one or two per game it really stresses the other team's transition defense. And I guess shooting 90% from the field works well too!

 

[ZorkClone]

Absolutely deserving! Great hands, a soft touch, and is immovable if she is in position. On top of that, she seems like a great teammate and looks to be a fun person. The smile she gave after having a wide-open look at the top of the key after draining a 3 earlier was gold!

Edit: I'll be waiting for them to name our double-double machine as freshmen of the week here soon

 

[ruxCYtable]

So very proud of her. I've got to be honest, I wasn't sure she would be this good. 1A is low level basketball and I didn't know if she'd be able to make the transition this quickly. She's exceeded my hopes!

 

[Drew0311]

Just curious. How good does she defend? I have not watched any games and I heard the knock on her was defense.

 

[geewago]

I think there was some doubt by quite a few that her game wouldn't translate to the college level. I watched several of her HS video clips and I just had a sneaky feeling she would be a solid contributor. So far my sneaky feeling has been right.

 

[NWICY]

Just curious. How good does she defend? I have not watched any games and I heard the knock on her was defense.

You don't want to get her switched onto a point guard but she holds her own against fellow bigs. IMO.

 

[JP4CY]

She seems to have a great personality and demeanor. She's going to go down as an all time fan favorite.

 

[Drew0311]

Just curious. How good does she defend? I have not watched any games and I heard the knock on her was defense.

#trulycyclone why the laughing emoji? I was asking a question.

 

[cytor]

She is awesome! I like watching her play. She's got game and I love it!

Now if we can just get the refs to start looking for the floppers that brush up against Audi and fall to the floor for no reason....

 

[danvillecyclone]

So very proud of her. I've got to be honest, I wasn't sure she would be this good. 1A is low level basketball and I didn't know if she'd be able to make the transition this quickly. She's exceeded my hopes!

I get what you’re saying. Go back and watch the Championship game.

She absolutely dominated and barely came off the court.

However, these kids are in camps and travel ball against higher competition for years.

My daughter’s HS team was at a camp that Audi attended. She said Audi was clearly the best there.

She could’ve switched to any school , but stayed at Bishop Garrigan. Good for her!

Congrats Audi!

More to come!

 

[acoustimac]

Just curious. How good does she defend? I have not watched any games and I heard the knock on her was defense.

Down low she holds her own quite well. Guards don’t want to drive on her. If her matchup steps away from the basket she can be a little slow coming out…but I’d prefer her cover her ground inside instead of getting baited out.

 

[Cyfan1965]

Way to go kid!

 

[CYdTracked]

So excited for what the future holds for this young woman. Has a fun and positive personality too and is going to represent ISU well too. I'm glad I was wrong on my evaluation of her role coming into this season, I thought she'd be a project and maybe get 5-10 minutes a game while she adjusted to this level of play. She's still a work in progress on defense but has far exceeded probably anyone's expectations so far. Excited to see her grow and develop going forward. This freshman class in general is one we should be proud of and give us optimism going forward as they improve as they all not only are very talented but do things in a manner or as coach calls it "The Cyclone Way" that represents the university well and are young women we can be proud to cheer for.

 

[pourcyne]

Just curious. How good does she defend? I have not watched any games and I heard the knock on her was defense.

Take a guess. 41 Defensive Rebounds, 2 steals, 5 blocks so far this season.

 

[pourcyne]

#trulycyclone why the laughing emoji? I was asking a question.

We have a freshman standout in the Big XII and you come along with a negative. That's the why of my .

In other words, leave a tender moment alone.

 

[Drew0311]

We have a freshman standout in the Big XII and you come along with a negative. That's the why of my .

In other words, leave a tender moment alone.

How is asking how her defense negative? I said that was the knock on her in high school. You see Ill explain it to you. When someone has a knock on them in high school, and then they play in college. A person is allowed how they are doing in that area. If you can't handle that, then you have a major issue with everything and maybe need to back off the internet. Also, Please don't read any thread that has the name Omaha in it right now. People are questioning a lot of things.

 

[JimDogRock]

How is asking how her defense negative? I said that was the knock on her in high school. You see Ill explain it to you. When someone has a knock on them in high school, and then they play in college. A person is allowed how they are doing in that area. If you can't handle that, then you have a major issue with everything and maybe need to back off the internet. Also, Please don't read any thread that has the name Omaha in it right now. People are questioning a lot of things.

The phrasing of your first post probably came across negative to some. The "I have not watched any games" and "Just curious." parts.
Factor in the title of the thread, which is to be purely congratulatory, and one might see your post as raining on her parade.

It's a fair discussion, her defense at this level. Having watched or listened to every game, to answer the question I would say it's much better than expected. Close to average level for a starting 5, and better than average for a freshman 5.
She has slow foot speed. We cover that up by playing a very deep drop coverage with her during pick and roll defense. In straight up man-to-man she uses her awareness and strength quite well. Her foul rate is low, and her help defense is passable. Some have criticized her defensive rebounding, but she is already close to where Morgan Kane was when looking at defensive rebounding rate.

Audi has started the last 6 games, and she is now the focal point of the offense for most of the sets. It is warranted. Her advanced stats are really good. Usage rate, free throw rate, true shooting percentage, adjusted box plus/minus - she's just been a huge boost to the team.

 

[madguy30]

Her shooting touch is really impressive.

 

[mj4cy]

Audi is already a favorite and we're barely into the season! She has quick moves around the rim, good hands, great teammate and the exact type of person you'd want to represent your school.