Audi Crooks sees glaring weakness of her game exposed in a viral clip ahead of WNBA Draft, with some pointing to how her defense looks, at least compared to her offensive skillset
A glaring weakness in Audi Crooks’ game has been exposed (Image: X: @barstoolsports)
A glaring weakness in Audi Crooks’ game has been exposed on social media.
On the offensive end, Crooks is a nigh-unstoppable force, using her size and finesse around the basket to the tune of almost 29 points per game for Iowa State. The difference between Crooks (28.7 points) and the No. 2 scorer in the nation, Hannah Hidalgo (25.3), is almost the same as Hidalgo and No. 10 Amaris Baker (21.2).
That said, while Crooks often confuses opposing defenses on how to stop her, other teams have found a way to exploit a part of her game that is not often discussed: Her defense. The revelation comes weeks after the star shared why she was in tears while shooting free throws.
READ MORE: Lamar Jackson refused to answer John Harbaugh question before Ravens axed coachREAD MORE: John Harbaugh showed true colors to Ravens kicker Tyler Loop before firing
Popular X account Barstool Sports posted a 31-second video on the social media platform of Crooks in Iowa State’s 71-63 loss to Cincinnati. In the first clip, Crooks is shown in the paint, though not necessarily guarding anyone at all, as a Bearcats guard drives right past her for an uncontested layup.
The second clip once again features Crooks in the paint, this time at the elbow, as a Bearcats guard curls around the star’s assignment to the hoop. Again, the 21-year-old is left flat-footed as she watches another uncontested drive to the basket, leading her to look around at her teammates after the busted coverage.
The next handful of clips feature Crooks exhibiting more effort on the defensive end. However, the effort she is showing is minimal, sheepishly raising her arm as a way to faux contest the shot, with the Bearcats making their attempts.
Crooks is an impressive offensive weapon though there is renewed discussions surrounding her defense(Image: Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
The last two clips of the video show Crooks exhibiting more effort on defense, though it came as time was running out in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. In the penultimate clip, Crooks is beaten off the dribble, and instead of watching the play develop, she uses her body to contest the shot, though she is called for the foul.
The last clip shows Crooks stepping up to stop the drive, leading the Bearcats’ ball handler to pull up at the free throw line. Despite the star contesting the shot with more emphasis, the shot rattled around the rim before dropping in, extending Cincinnati’s lead to nine, 64-55, with just over five minutes left in the game.
Fans on social media were quick to criticize the effort, or lack thereof, that Crooks exhibited on the defensive end. “It’s so much easier to be good offensively if you don’t play defense,” a fan wrote on X.
Get Peacock starting at $7.99
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
$7.99
Peacock
Looking for more to watch? Peacock has hit shows, movies, live sports, and more. You can watch popular titles like Wicked and The Traitors, along with Premier League matches and live golf all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 a month and you can cancel anytime.
Another added, “It’s like watching a spectacular fireworks show that occasionally sets the lawn on fire. Maybe the strategy is to just outscore everyone so wildly that her defensive adventures become a charming sideshow. That’s one way to keep the game interesting!”
A third fan noted that her apparent lack of interest in that side of the ball won’t help her transition to the next level of the game.
“She’s one of my favorite offensive players but unfortunately cannot play defense. I don’t see how she would make it in the WNBA,” the fan wrote.
If Crooks wants to make it to the WNBA, her defensive effort will have to improve, especially since the level of physicality in the league is so much more aggressive than in other leagues. The 21-year-old will have to work diligently on that end of the floor as sometimes, players can’t just rely on offense to succeed in the WNBA.