Crooks, the nation's second-leading scorer with 25.8 points per game and 7.7 rebounds, announced her decision on social media. The Cyclones went 22-10 in the 2025-2026 season but failed to advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament during her tenure.
While her exact reasoning hasn't been confirmed, it's widely speculated that Crooks is seeking a better opportunity to compete for a national championship in her final year of eligibility. In her statement, she thanked Cyclone fans and explained her desire to "take root again in new ground."