"A 6ft 3in ballast in the paint, Crooks belongs to a protected class of hooper, the velveteen giant post players who win with touch as much as brute force. In the early 2000s, Troy Jackson a 6ft 10in, 375lb streetball legend who played under the stage name Escalade lit up And1 Mixtape crowds with his buttery shoulder rolls and no-look passes."
"The diesel that drives the Cyclones, Crooks averages more than 25 points a game while making two-thirds of her shots from the field efficiency that makes her virtually impossible to guard. Front her on the low block, and she'll catch and finish. Defend her straight up, and she'll clear a path to the hoop."
"Push her farther out, and she'll splash jumpers all day, no matter which way she's facing. Send extra bodies her way, and she'll either wing the ball to an open teammate or make whoever's marking her regret their life choices."
Iowa has produced two exceptional college basketball talents: Caitlin Clark at the University of Iowa and Audi Crooks at Iowa State. Crooks, a 6-foot-3-inch junior center, represents a rare breed of post player who combines technical finesse with dominant physical presence. Nicknamed "Baby Shaq," she averages over 25 points per game while shooting two-thirds from the field. Her versatility makes her nearly impossible to guard—she can finish in the low block, create her own shot, hit jumpers from anywhere, and facilitate for teammates. Even when opponents employ multiple defenders, Crooks either finds open teammates or punishes her defenders. This efficiency and multifaceted skill set distinguishes her in women's college basketball.
#audi-crooks #iowa-state-basketball #womens-college-basketball #post-player-versatility #scoring-efficiency
Read at www.theguardian.com
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