A program that lost its biggest star is answering with depth, versatility, and a new way of playing. Scout ran the numbers on what comes next.

This breakdown is powered by ShotTracker Scout, our AI-driven scouting platform. Fit Scores reflect how well each incoming player projects to fit Iowa State’s evolving system based on possession-level data.

Iowa State had a standout season. They built a program identity around Audi Crooks, one of the most dominant interior players in the country, and competed at the highest level in one of college basketball’s toughest conferences.

This offseason brought significant roster movement. Understanding what Iowa State lost and what they are building in response tells a story worth paying attention to.

Understanding the Roster Shift

Crooks’ departure was the headline, but the full picture of what Iowa State is navigating this offseason goes deeper. Alongside Crooks, the Cyclones are replacing a significant amount of production across the roster.

Jada Williams averaged 15.3 points and 7.7 assists per game and was named All-Big 12 before committing to LSU. Addy Brown, a versatile do-it-all forward averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, is heading to defending national champion UCLA. Guard Kenzie Hare, who shot 40% from three across her career, committed to Indiana.

Three returning players: Arianna Jackson, Evangelina Paulk, and Freya Jensen, give Bill Fennelly’s staff a foundation to build from. The question heading into the offseason was not whether Iowa State would respond. It was how.

Scout identified Iowa State’s core challenge as redistributing creation across multiple players after building their entire offensive identity through Crooks in the post and Williams as the primary initiator.

Building Something New

Rather than chasing a single replacement, Iowa State went out and built a class designed around shared responsibility. More creation distributed across more players. More perimeter versatility. A new look that is genuinely interesting by design, not just by necessity.

The incoming group:

• Ashleigh Connor (La Salle): 15.8 PPG, 3.9 AST, 2.0 STL on 44/36/80 shooting splits. Scout Fit Score: 69.9. A two-way guard who can carry a larger offensive load while providing real value defensively. One of the stronger portal additions in the Big 12 this cycle.

• Maya Babbit (Kent State): 16.1 PPG on 37/27/90 shooting splits. Scout Fit Score: 60.6. A proven volume scorer with elite free throw efficiency and the experience of handling a heavy offensive load in a featured role.

• Alex-Anne Bessette (Loyola Chicago): 11.3 PPG, 3.4 REB, 1.6 AST. Scout Fit Score: 66.9. Perimeter size at 6-foot-2 with scoring upside that gives Iowa State a new dimension at the wing.

• Sienna Harvey (Washington): 3.8 PPG in 10.6 minutes per game as a freshman. Scout Fit Score: 55.2. A young guard with three years of eligibility remaining and real development runway ahead of her.

• Gift Ezekiel (Florida): Scout Fit Score: 62.4. Frontcourt depth and interior presence that gives the Cyclones options in the post after losing that production from last season’s core.

What This Offense Could Look Like

Last season, Iowa State’s offense ran through the post and initiated through one of the best playmaking guards in the Big 12. The new version redistributes that load across a group of perimeter players who can each create independently.

More ball movement. More shared creation. More ways to generate offense. A roster like this can be genuinely difficult to scheme against because there is no single player an opponent can load up on to disrupt the flow of the game. The ball finds the open player, and Iowa State now has enough creators to make that a real problem.

Scout’s analysis projects Iowa State’s offensive style shifting from post-anchored to perimeter-driven, with an estimated 22% increase in guard-initiated possessions based on the incoming group’s tendencies.

Does this version of Iowa State have the same ceiling as a team built around a top-five national scorer? That is a fair question. But a more balanced roster has upside of its own. It can be more adaptable over a long season, harder to prepare for, and more resilient when one player has an off night.

Iowa State is not rebuilding. They are evolving. How this group develops will be one of the most compelling storylines in the Big 12 next season.

See Every Portal Move the Way Coaches Do

Every analysis in this series was powered by ShotTracker Scout. Fit Scores, portal tracking, and possession-level scouting data that gives programs the intelligence to move fast and make smart decisions when the portal opens.

Whether you are evaluating a transfer, building a roster, or trying to understand what your next opponent is capable of, Scout gives you the full picture before anyone else has it.

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