Top Transfer Portal Player Audi Crooks May Have Hinted at Her Next Team

The second-leading scorer in the NCAA last season has the college basketball world buzzing about her potential next move.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movement and energy of a women's basketball game, with the players' figures deconstructed into abstract shapes and forms.A cubist interpretation of the potential powerhouse duo of Audi Crooks and Hannah Hidalgo leading Notre Dame to a national championship.Notre Dame Today

Iowa State junior Audi Crooks, the second-leading scorer in the NCAA last season, has entered the transfer portal and may have dropped a major hint about her next destination. Crooks, a three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and second-team All-American, recently started following the official Notre Dame women's basketball team account on Instagram, sparking speculation that she could be headed to South Bend to play for the Fighting Irish.

Why it matters

Crooks' transfer would be a major coup for whichever program lands her services. She is one of the most dominant players in the country and would immediately make any team a national championship contender. Her potential addition to Notre Dame's roster, which already includes standout Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo, would cement the Fighting Irish as the favorites to win it all next season.

The details

Crooks, a 6-foot-3 center, averaged 25.8 points per game last season, second only to Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes. After three seasons with Iowa State, Crooks has decided to enter the transfer portal and explore her options. Her recent Instagram activity, which includes following the Notre Dame women's basketball team account, as well as head coach Niele Ivey and players Hannah Hidalgo and KK Bransford, has sparked speculation that she could be headed to South Bend.

  • Crooks entered the transfer portal shortly after the 2025-26 season ended.
  • Crooks recently started following the Notre Dame women's basketball team on Instagram.

The players

Audi Crooks

A 6-foot-3 junior center who was the second-leading scorer in the NCAA last season, averaging 25.8 points per game. She is a three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and a second-team All-American.

Hannah Hidalgo

The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, who averaged 25.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 steals, and 5.2 assists per game last season. She was third in the country in scoring, right behind Crooks.

Niele Ivey

The head coach of the Notre Dame women's basketball team.

KK Bransford

A player on the Notre Dame women's basketball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Audi Crooks, the most sought-after transfer portal target of the year, now follows the official Notre Dame WBB account on Instagram as well as head coach Niele Ivey and players Hannah Hidalgo and KK Bransford.”

— Tyler Horka, Reporter

What’s next

If Crooks were to join the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, they would immediately become the national championship favorite for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Audi Crooks' potential transfer to Notre Dame would be a game-changing move for the college basketball landscape. Her addition to a roster that already includes standout Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo would make the Fighting Irish an overwhelming favorite to win the national championship next season.