Aliyah Boston did not hide her surprise when Audi Crooks made one of the most unexpected transfer decisions of the offseason.
For weeks, the conversation around Crooks had pointed in a completely different direction, with several top programs heavily linked to landing one of the best players in college basketball.
That is why the final decision caught even experienced voices like Boston off guard.
Speaking on the Post Moves podcast, Boston made it clear she did not expect Crooks to end up where she did.
“I did not see that coming at all, actually. … I felt like there were a lot of eyes pointing to Notre Dame for sure,” the Indiana Fever star said.
That reaction reflects how the transfer process played out. Notre Dame had been widely viewed as a natural fit, especially given how Crooks’ interior dominance could have complemented their existing roster.
Instead, the decision shifted the spotlight entirely, turning what seemed predictable into one of the biggest surprises of the transfer window.
The move makes more sense when looking at what Crooks is stepping into for her final year.
After establishing herself as one of the most dominant scorers in the country, averaging nearly 26 points per game with elite efficiency, Crooks entered the portal as the top available player.
Oklahoma State offered something different from the traditional powerhouses. The program is building around her as the focal point of the offense, pairing her with another elite scorer in Liv McGill and reshaping its system to maximize her impact inside.
There are also practical factors behind the decision. Iowa State’s roster saw major turnover, while Oklahoma State presents both stability and a clearer path to competing at the top of the Big 12.
For Crooks, this is about maximizing one final season. The opportunity to lead a team, dominate possessions and elevate a program appears to have outweighed the pull of more established destinations.
Audi Crooks will reportedly make more money than every WNBA star apart from Wilson and Boston