From Victim of Weight Bias to World’s Third-Highest Paid Female Athlete: Audi Crooks’ Journey
Audi Crooks has transformed from a target of weight-based discrimination into one of the most financially successful female athletes in the world while still competing at the collegiate level. The Oklahoma State Cowgirls center, nicknamed “Lady Shaq,” has overcome significant adversity to reach this remarkable position in women’s sports.
Born on December 13, 2004, in Algona, Iowa, Crooks attended Bishop Garrigan High School where she won back-to-back state championships and was named Iowa Miss Basketball as a senior. Her dominance continued at Iowa State, where as a freshman she scored 40 points against Maryland in the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament, setting a new single-game tournament record for freshmen.
Despite her obvious talent, Crooks faced weight-based criticism throughout her career. Reports indicate she endured gordofobia (weight discrimination) that questioned her athletic abilities due to her physique. Rather than letting this deter her, she used the criticism as motivation to improve her game.
After her junior season at Iowa State, Crooks entered the transfer portal and made her decision official to join Oklahoma State University. She announced her transfer with a social media post featuring an orange heart and cowboy hat, keeping her within the Big 12 Conference where she will face her former team.
During her final season with the Iowa State Cyclones, Crooks earned second-team All-American honors from both the Associated Press and USBWA. She averaged nearly 26 points per game while shooting 65 percent from the field, ranking second in NCAA Division I women’s basketball in scoring per game. Her consistency was remarkable, scoring in double figures in every single game that season, including multiple 40-point performances.
Crooks concluded her Iowa State career ranked second all-time in scoring, first in scoring average, and placed in the top 5 for both field goals made and attempted. Her high school career was equally impressive, where she set state records for points scored (626) and field goals made (270) as a freshman while helping Bishop Garrigan achieve a 25-2 record.
The financial recognition comes despite Crooks still being an active college athlete. While specific contract details remain unverified through official sources, multiple reputable sports outlets have reported her status as the world’s third-highest paid female athlete. This achievement is particularly notable given the ongoing debates about Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation in college sports.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters), Crooks plays the center position for the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in the Big 12 Conference. Her physical presence and scoring ability have earned her comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal, hence the “Lady Shaq” moniker that has followed her throughout her career.
Beyond basketball, Crooks demonstrated exceptional athletic versatility in high school, winning four state titles in track and field, including three consecutive championships in the shot put. This multi-sport background contributes to her dominance in the paint and rebounding ability.
As she begins her senior season with Oklahoma State, Crooks represents a new model for female athletes who can achieve significant financial success while still pursuing their college education. Her journey from facing weight discrimination to becoming one of the world’s most financially recognized female athletes serves as an inspiration to young athletes facing similar challenges.
The next confirmed checkpoint in Crooks’ career will be her debut for the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in the upcoming college basketball season, where she will seem to continue her scoring dominance and assist lead her new team to success in the competitive Big 12 Conference.
What aspects of Audi Crooks’ journey resonate most with you as a sports fan? Share your thoughts in the comments below and help spread awareness about overcoming adversity in athletics.
