Iowa State's Audi Crooks poses for photographers during Iowa State's NCAA college basketball media day, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Everyone close to her knew how good Audi Crooks was on the basketball court.

After her freshman season in college, the nation became well aware of just how exciting these next three seasons will be at Iowa State.

The Bishop Garrigan graduate burst onto the Div. I college basketball scene in 2023-24, and before her sophomore season even begins, the accolades are already piling up.

But for the daughter of the late Jimmie Crooks — a former Fort Dodge standout — and Bishop Garrigan graduate Michelle (Vitzthum) Cook, it isn’t about the awards. It’s about the bonds and the relationships Crooks builds along the way.

There was no learning curve needed for the two-time high school state champion, as Crooks became a household name early at the major-college level, then cemented her true freshman legacy with the Cyclones in March.

“Since I’ve been in college, things have ramped up quite a bit. I just try to take it all in,” Crooks said. “Approach everything with grace and mindfulness. Just making sure that what I put out in the media and the general public reflects my core values.”

Crooks became a media darling during Iowa State’s 2024 NCAA Tournament run.

“I think my life has changed as far as national recognition goes,” Crooks said. “But overall, the core values remain the same.

“I’m still the same person — just on a bigger platform this year.”

Iowa State was able to cultivate a strong chemistry a year ago with a close-knit group on and off the court.

“I think that separates the good teams from the great ones, because when you’re connected, you’re willing to go that extra mile. You genuinely love who you’re playing alongside,” Crooks said.

Crooks pieced together the most historic freshman campaign in Iowa State women’s hoop history. And everywhere she went, her family and her community was there to offer support.

“My family means everything to me, and I definitely wouldn’t be here without them — as well as the people back in Algona,” Crooks said. “Just look up in the crowd and see you know people that I’ve known since I was little…they’re still there for me, from high school into college.

“I’m just incredibly grateful for that.”

Crooks became the first Cyclone rookie All-American as an honorable mention pick. She was the first ISU freshman ever to land on the Big 12 first team, the Big 12 all-tournament team, and the all-freshman team.

The 2023 Miss Iowa Basketball recipient led the Cyclones with 635 points, averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting 57 percent from the floor — the best field goal percentage in the nation by a Div. I freshman.

“We all really worked hard and proved our individual assets, because we knew what to expect,” Crooks said. “We knew it was going to be asked of us again this season, so we bonded over our shared goal of being a better team this season overall.”

Crooks’ season point total surpassed Megan Taylor’s 460 points in 1997-98. She set a single-season mark with 258 field goals, and also established the program’s record for free throw made by a Cyclone freshman with 114.

The nation found out about Crooks during the NCAA tournament, when she scored a career-high 40 points — just the fourth 40-point game in Iowa State history — to lead the Cyclones back from a 20-point deficit to a 93-89 win over No. 10 Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Crooks became the second college basketball player ever (Bill Walton, UCLA) to score at least 40 points while shooting 90 percent from the field in an NCAA tournament.

“We surprised quite a few people during March Madness, but we didn’t doubt ourselves honestly for one second,” Crooks said. “We’re not really concerned with the opinions and expectations outside of our locker room.

“It’s more so the narrative that we create for ourselves and hold ourselves to that matters the most. But yes, it was also a lot of fun to turn some heads.”

Crooks was part of the Cyclone squad that took No. 2 seed Stanford into overtime during the second round.

“Last year’s Big 12 tournament (runner-up finish) definitely provided us a lot of motivation and a lot of things to aim for this year, as well as the NCAA Tournament,” Crooks said. “Of course it’s our goal to do well, so that’s definitely another motivational factor for us.”

As the season began with a young roster last year, the Cyclones weren’t really on the national radar.

“Looking back on it, there were not a lot of people who thought that we were going to be very good. We were just so young,” Crooks said. “But it was fun to be able to prove ourselves every night.”

The Cyclones are already making noise for the upcoming campaign, as they are ranked eighth in the Associated Press preseason poll.

“Being more of a favorite this year, people are a lot more aware and a lot more conscious of our team and how dangerous we are. So that’s a new challenge,” Crooks said.

The Cyclone women are part of a resurgence of Iowa State athletics, as the football team is ranked in Top-15, while the men’s basketball program and wrestling squad are both in the Top-10.

“There’s really no better time to be a Cyclone than right now,” Crooks said. “Things are really looking up for our athletic department and the university as a whole. So I’m just excited to be a part of the buzz going on with the Cyclones.

“It’s about time, I think, that all of our athletics are getting a lot more recognition. They’ve earned it.”

Legendary Cyclone head coach Bill Fennelly has helped keep this young squad grounded and hungry.

“Coach has basically just told me that if last year was my best, that I didn’t do my job right,” Crooks said. “So building off the success of our team and individually while making sure that I surpass that is the goal. Just strive for even more this year.”