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STILLWATER — Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach Jacie Hoyt is incredibly grateful for the increased support her program has received on the heels of a third NCAA Tournament appearance in her four seasons leading the Cowgirls.
But she also wants to make one thing clear: OSU is not paying a player $1.4 million.
Social media began buzzing after All-American Audi Crooks committed to OSU last month, including a graphic showing a $1.4 million salary for Crooks, who has one season of eligibility remaining.
“There’s a lot of fake news out there,” Hoyt said in a recent news conference. “I don’t know how people can just make things up and put it out there as if it’s fact. I’ll be the first to say that the $1.4 million graphic that came out on Audi — I have no idea who that is or why that number was it, but that’s not true.
“And I’m not gonna get into the details. That’s really no one’s business. But everyone thinks that’s what it is now.”
Crooks, a 6-foot-3 center who transferred from Iowa State, was regarded as the top available prospect in the portal. OSU also added one of the top available guards in Florida’s Liv McGill.
And though the dollar figures being speculated got out of control online, Hoyt pulled in what most national outlets consider the best transfer class in the country, outdueling even the bluest of blue bloods.
“It’s been a fun offseason for us,” Hoyt said. “Sitting here today, finally being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel with where our roster stands, is a great feeling. Just really, really excited about what my staff has been able to do in terms of assembling a roster we can be really proud of.”
More: Oklahoma State women's basketball transfer portal tracker: Live updates on who’s in, out
Over her nine-year head coaching career, Hoyt has become known for her fast-paced style, but Crooks is better known as a half-court style player.
But Hoyt had no concerns in signing a player who has averaged more than 22 points a game for her three-year career and 25.8 per game last season.
Any concern about blending Crooks into the Cowgirls’ up-tempo style was eased by Crooks’ focus on her career beyond Stillwater.
“I think that’s the obvious thing that people think immediately, but Audi came here because she wanted to be a part of our style, and I don’t intend on changing that,” Hoyt said. “Am I going to need to make some tweaks here and there? Of course. We have to do that every year. But Audi is very motivated to play in a system that she feels can help her go to the next level.
“I think she is excited to fit into us. We’re not changing everything for Audi, and Audi doesn’t want that. She wants to be pushed. She wants to be in a system that is gonna help develop her and push her in ways she hasn’t been pushed.”
More: Oklahoma State vs Nebraska softball schedule: Date, time, TV for NCAA Super Regional
Hoyt agrees with the growing concept that transfer portal recruiting is the sports equivalent of speed dating.
Athletes and coaches have to learn as much about each other as quickly as possible to make a decision on a potential relationship.
So in that environment, previous connections can be valuable.
For instance, when Hoyt was the head coach at Kansas City, she recruited Owasso product Ellie Brueggeman, who ultimately landed at Lindenwood. But that relationship paid off in recruiting the 5-foot-11 guard who shot 44% from 3-point range last season.
“We reminisced about all of our old conversations and it was a very full-circle moment for us,” Hoyt said.
Hoyt’s mother, Shelly, coached against the mother of Fort Hays State transfer Talexa Weeter.
“The team her mom played for was kind of the arch rival of my mom’s team,” Hoyt said. “I remember watching her mom play. I was probably a fourth- or fifth-grader, and funny enough, because she was really good, I idolized her in a lot of ways.
“It was really cool to connect the dots. Where we’re from in Northwest Kansas, everyone knows everyone. That’s just how it is.”
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What is Oklahoma State women's basketball transfer Audi Crooks' NIL?
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But she also wants to make one thing clear: OSU is not paying a player $1.4 million.
Social media began buzzing after All-American Audi Crooks committed to OSU last month, including a graphic showing a $1.4 million salary for Crooks, who has one season of eligibility remaining.
“There’s a lot of fake news out there,” Hoyt said in a recent news conference. “I don’t know how people can just make things up and put it out there as if it’s fact. I’ll be the first to say that the $1.4 million graphic that came out on Audi — I have no idea who that is or why that number was it, but that’s not true.
“And I’m not gonna get into the details. That’s really no one’s business. But everyone thinks that’s what it is now.”
Crooks, a 6-foot-3 center who transferred from Iowa State, was regarded as the top available prospect in the portal. OSU also added one of the top available guards in Florida’s Liv McGill.
And though the dollar figures being speculated got out of control online, Hoyt pulled in what most national outlets consider the best transfer class in the country, outdueling even the bluest of blue bloods.
“It’s been a fun offseason for us,” Hoyt said. “Sitting here today, finally being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel with where our roster stands, is a great feeling. Just really, really excited about what my staff has been able to do in terms of assembling a roster we can be really proud of.”
More: Oklahoma State women's basketball transfer portal tracker: Live updates on who’s in, out
How will Audi Crooks blend into OSU system?
Over her nine-year head coaching career, Hoyt has become known for her fast-paced style, but Crooks is better known as a half-court style player.
But Hoyt had no concerns in signing a player who has averaged more than 22 points a game for her three-year career and 25.8 per game last season.
Any concern about blending Crooks into the Cowgirls’ up-tempo style was eased by Crooks’ focus on her career beyond Stillwater.
“I think that’s the obvious thing that people think immediately, but Audi came here because she wanted to be a part of our style, and I don’t intend on changing that,” Hoyt said. “Am I going to need to make some tweaks here and there? Of course. We have to do that every year. But Audi is very motivated to play in a system that she feels can help her go to the next level.
“I think she is excited to fit into us. We’re not changing everything for Audi, and Audi doesn’t want that. She wants to be pushed. She wants to be in a system that is gonna help develop her and push her in ways she hasn’t been pushed.”
More: Oklahoma State vs Nebraska softball schedule: Date, time, TV for NCAA Super Regional
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Previous connections helped build roster
Hoyt agrees with the growing concept that transfer portal recruiting is the sports equivalent of speed dating.
Athletes and coaches have to learn as much about each other as quickly as possible to make a decision on a potential relationship.
So in that environment, previous connections can be valuable.
For instance, when Hoyt was the head coach at Kansas City, she recruited Owasso product Ellie Brueggeman, who ultimately landed at Lindenwood. But that relationship paid off in recruiting the 5-foot-11 guard who shot 44% from 3-point range last season.
“We reminisced about all of our old conversations and it was a very full-circle moment for us,” Hoyt said.
Hoyt’s mother, Shelly, coached against the mother of Fort Hays State transfer Talexa Weeter.
“The team her mom played for was kind of the arch rival of my mom’s team,” Hoyt said. “I remember watching her mom play. I was probably a fourth- or fifth-grader, and funny enough, because she was really good, I idolized her in a lot of ways.
“It was really cool to connect the dots. Where we’re from in Northwest Kansas, everyone knows everyone. That’s just how it is.”
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What is Oklahoma State women's basketball transfer Audi Crooks' NIL?
Continue reading...
