Iowa State women’s basketball standout Audi Crooks has made the difficult decision to deactivate her Instagram account following a sustained campaign of online trolling and harassment. The freshman phenom, who captured national attention with her record-setting 40-point NCAA tournament debut, has become a target for critics and anonymous accounts in recent weeks.
The trolling reportedly intensified after high-profile games, focusing not on her athletic performance but on personal and unwarranted critiques. This persistent negativity appears to have crossed a threshold, leading the young athlete to remove her public social media presence in what many see as a necessary act of self-preservation.
Crooks’s decision highlights the dark side of sports fame in the digital age, where athletes, particularly young women, face immense scrutiny that extends far beyond the court. Coaches and teammates have consistently praised her maturity, work ethic, and positive attitude, making the online vitriol especially jarring.
The move has sparked a conversation among fans and sports commentators about the need for greater respect and boundaries for collegiate athletes. Many are expressing support for Crooks, emphasizing that her mental well-being must come first. While her on-court future remains incredibly bright, her absence from Instagram serves as a sobering reminder of the intense, and often toxic, pressures that can accompany sudden athletic stardom.
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