The sound of a basketball hitting the driveway was a constant in Audi Crooks’ childhood. But it wasn’t just any game, it was a battle against her mother, a former scoring legend, under the watchful eyes of her father. Those driveway duels shaped her into the dominant force she is today. Now, as she shatters records at Iowa State, fans are eager to know more about her roots, her journey, and the values that drive her.
What is Audi Crooks’ Ethnicity?
Audi Crooks is of mixed-race heritage, with African American ancestry through her father’s side. While she has not publicly spoken much about her ethnic background, her deep-rooted family traditions and cultural influences have shaped her identity both on and off the court. Growing up in Algona, Iowa, Crooks was part of a tight-knit community where she developed her passion for basketball early on.
Being of mixed ethnicity in an otherwise dominant white region, she has stood out not only for her athletic dominance but also as an emerging role model for young athletes of diverse backgrounds. Though women’s college basketball has seen limited representation of mixed-race athletes, Crooks is breaking that mold.
What is Audi Crooks’ Nationality? Where was she born?
Audi Crooks is an American by nationality and was born in Iowa on December 24, 2004. She belongs to an athletic family where basketball was a way of life. Her father Jimmie Crooks, was a standout performer at Fort Dodge Senior High before moving into college basketball at Mankato State and Southern Nazarene. Her mother, Michelle Cook, is one of the all-time leading scorers for the Bishop Garrigan basketball team.
Iowa State Cyclones’ center Audi Crooks (55) takes a jump shot over Drake Bulldogs guard Peyton McCabe (11) during the third quarter in the NCAA women’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Ames, Iowa.
Crooks has many times shared a personal anecdote from her childhood that shaped her love for basketball. The center recalls how playing basketball for hours with her mom in their driveway developed her skills in the post. Michelle Cook was never easy on her child when it came to the game. Today, she honors both parents by wearing their No. 55 jersey, a constant tribute to their influence on her journey.
Audi Crooks followed her mother’s footsteps and joined Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona. The nascent raw talent led her school to back-to-back state championships bringing a new life to their program. However, during her high school days, Audi Crooks didn’t solely focus on basketball. She also competed in volleyball and track & field. Crooks was a two-time Class 1A state champion in the shot put.
Her high school performances didn’t go unnoticed. Soon, college programs lined up with full-time scholarship offers, hoping to land the emerging star. Audi Crooks decided to stay at home and committed to Iowa State. This despite having offers from Minnesota, Michigan State Spartans, Wisconsin, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Penn State and Oklahoma. And boy did that work out for her. In her freshman year, Crooks set the court on fire with performances that the program had rarely witnessed in recent years.
She averaged 19.2 PPT, and 7.8 RPG with a 57.7 FG percent. The Centre was crowned as the Iowa Miss Basketball in 2023. Now a sophomore at Iowa State, she recently also made history by breaking the Cyclones’ single-season scoring record with 765 points. In the process, Audi crossed Bridget Carleton’s 2018-19 mark (760 points). The upcoming star not only has talent, and basketball IQ but also leadership skills.
In a recent interview speaking about her game, Audi Crooks said, “I think a part of my game that I like to elevate is not necessarily going to show up on the stat board. I’d like to be a better communicator. I’d like to be a better leader and just more consistent overall, whether that be in the paint, at the mid-range, setting screens, whatever it is, even on the defensive end.”
What Religion Does Audi Crooks Follow?
Audi Crooks is a devoted Roman Catholic Christian. She has credited spiritualism as a force towards her growing career trajectory. She has a ritual of visiting church with her father from her childhood days. Crooks also played the drums in church, which she learned to play from her father.
The 20-year-old also involves spiritualism before stepping on the court. Speaking of her pre-game ritual, “Before every game, I just try to take a moment and I pray and I am kind of seeking guidance from my father, he passed away when I was 16 in 2021. So I just try to kinda take a second and ground myself and tap into my spiritual side and just know that everything’s going to be OK and he’s got the best seat in the house.”
With her deep-rooted faith, shattering performances, and strong familial roots, Audi Crooks is a player with a story worth following. As she continues her journey at Iowa State, could she be on her way to becoming one of the most dominant post players in NCAA history? Let us know your thoughts!
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