Crooks celebrates FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold medal

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AMES — As the national anthem played, Audi Crooks beamed.

The Iowa State junior has stood for The Star-Spangled Banner myriad times, of course, but hearing the familiar melody ring out after winning a game on her nation’s 250th birthday in Santiago, Chile, hit different.

“There weren’t really any celebrations or fireworks,” said Crooks, who helped Team USA win gold at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup earlier this month in the Chilean capital. “So that was a lot different because I know that everybody here is having burgers and hot dogs and shooting off fireworks, so I had a little bit of FOMO. But I don’t regret it in any way.

“It was an amazing experience and to be able to play a game on the Fourth of July wearing USA across your chest is something I’ll never forget.”

The 6-foot-3 Crooks — who attained first team All-Big 12 honors in her first two seasons as a Cyclone — came off the bench to help Team USA beat the Dominican Republic, 110-44, in a July 4 quarterfinal, then did the same in her team’s 92-84 title game win over Brazil on July 6.

Crooks averaged 3.8 points and 1.8 rebounds while representing her country on the international stage for the first time in her career.

“Leaving Ames, my home away from home where everybody knows me and you walk into the gym and see smiles and get hugs — to just be in a different, almost hostile, environment was definitely an adjustment,” the Algona native said. “But I anticipated it being that way. It’s competitive. Everybody wants to be there.”

Crooks knows what it feels like to not be there. She said she failed to qualify for Team USA’s under-17 team a few years ago — a disappointing moment that she turned into motivation.

“It was really eye-opening for me at that time for me to see what it takes and that was before I’d even stepped foot on a college campus,” said Crooks, a third-team Associated Press All-American last season. “So it just kind of goes to show the elevation of my game and my personal development on the floor and off the floor, and how that translates and is now being recognized.”

Cyclone Coach Bill Fennelly and his wife, Deb, went to Chile to watch Team USA play and cheer Crooks on.

“It’s got to be one of the more major accomplishments she’s had up to this point and maybe for her whole life,” said Fennelly, who has helped coach Team USA four times in his venerable career. “I give away a lot of my stuff. I don’t give away any of my USA Basketball stuff. It’s a unique situation, it’s a unique opportunity, and I think she’s very, very proud of it — and she should be.”


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