In the world of modern college athletics, the phrase "you have to spend money to make money" has never been more accurate—especially when it comes to landing top talent in the transfer portal. And no player has generated more buzz this offseason than women's basketball star Audi Crooks.

A two-time All-American and the nation's second-leading scorer last season, Crooks was widely regarded as the crown jewel of the transfer portal. After drawing interest from powerhouse programs across the country, the three-time All-Big 12 selection made the move from Iowa State to Oklahoma State. With her averaging a staggering 25.8 points per game, it's no surprise she's being compensated through revenue sharing or Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals—a reality for many elite women's college players today.

The catch? Unlike professional leagues, there's no public database or salary sheet to confirm exactly how much players are earning. So when an anonymous X account claimed Crooks was pocketing a jaw-dropping $1.4 million from Oklahoma State, the sports world took notice. To put that in perspective, that figure would match the earnings of WNBA superstars like four-time MVP A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces—a comparison that immediately sparked debate.

But Oklahoma State head coach Jacie Hoyt was quick to shut down the speculation. During a recent press conference, she didn't mince words: "There's a lot of fake news out there. I don't know how people can just make things up and put it out there as if it's fact. The $1.4 million graphic that came out on Audi—that's not true." Hoyt declined to share specific details, noting that such information is private, but she made it clear the viral number is pure fiction.

While Hoyt acknowledged that programs must be willing to invest financially to even start conversations with top prospects, she emphasized that the rumored sum is wildly off base. For fans and followers of women's college basketball, the story serves as a reminder that in the fast-evolving NIL era, not everything you read online is as it seems—even when it involves your favorite players.