A Clarifying Statement from Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Jacie Hoyt took to the press to put an end to a wave of social media speculation that her program was preparing a $1.4 million contract for incoming transfer center Audi Crooks. In a straightforward briefing, Hoyt stressed that the university does not pay players such sums and that accurate information is essential for the integrity of the program.
Crooks, a 6‑foot‑3 center who spent three seasons at Iowa State, arrives in Stillwater with a reputation built on consistent production. She has averaged more than 22 points per game over her collegiate career and posted a 25.8‑point average last season, numbers that have made her the most coveted prospect in the transfer portal this year.
The excitement surrounding Crooks is amplified by the arrival of another highly rated transfer, guard Liv McGill from the University of Florida. Together, the two newcomers are expected to bolster a roster that Hoyt describes as the best transfer class in the country, according to most national outlets.
Hoyt, known for her fast‑paced offensive schemes, acknowledges that Crooks’s half‑court skill set offers a different dimension. Rather than forcing a single style, she is focused on integrating the new players into a system that can showcase their strengths while preparing them for the next level of competition.
Recruiting, Hoyt says, resembles speed dating — quick connections, rapid evaluations, and a reliance on existing relationships. She points to her earlier recruitment of Owasso native Ellie Brueggeman, who ultimately chose Lindenwood, as an example of how a personal rapport can pay dividends by opening doors to other prospects, such as a 5‑foot‑11 guard who shot 44 percent from three‑point range last season.
Beyond the court, Hoyt’s personal network extends to her mother, Shelly Hoyt, who previously coached against the mother of Fort Hays State transfer Talexa Weeter. Those intertwined histories illustrate the tight‑knit fabric of the recruiting landscape across the Midwest.
Looking Ahead
As the new roster assembles in Stillwater, the coaching staff remains focused on building chemistry and maintaining transparency. The program’s commitment to honest communication, according to Hoyt, will be a cornerstone as the team prepares for the upcoming season.