In a raw, unfiltered Instagram Live just 15 minutes ago, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham shattered the silence surrounding the relentless online vitriol targeting Iowa State Cyclones star Audi Crooks. The 28-year-old WNBA enforcer, known for her black-belt taekwondo grit and unyielding loyalty on the court, unleashed a passionate tirade that has already amassed over 500,000 views.
“What she’s dealing with is a disgrace—a complete betrayal of everything sportsmanship should represent,” Cunningham fumed, her voice steady but laced with fury. “How can people be so harsh on a player who gives everything she has, every single game? Audi is carrying her team with heart, toughness, and leadership. To me, she’s one of the greatest athletes to ever wear her team’s uniform.”
The outburst comes amid a brutal storm of criticism for Crooks, the 6-foot-3 sophomore phenom who’s been dubbed the “Amish Hammer” for her old-school post dominance. Just weeks ago, Crooks etched her name in Iowa State lore, shattering the school’s single-game scoring record with 43 points in a flu-ravaged “Flu Game” masterpiece—exiting early to “lose her pregame dinner” before storming back to dismantle opponents. Yet, her relentless low-post feeds and 68% field-goal efficiency have drawn fire from trolls and analysts alike, branding her playstyle “boring” or “uninnovative” in an era obsessed with flashy threes and viral dunks. Social media has erupted with memes mocking her Amish roots and farm-girl persona, turning her quiet Midwestern resolve into a punchline.
Cunningham, no stranger to controversy—having been ejected earlier this season for vigilante justice in defense of Caitlin Clark—saw parallels in Crooks’ plight. “I’ve watched Audi grind through Big 12 wars, leading the Cyclones to an undefeated home streak while her team’s still finding its rhythm,” she continued. “She’s not chasing highlights; she’s chasing wins. That heart? That’s what builds dynasties. The hate she’s getting? It’s jealousy disguised as critique. We’re better than this.”
The timing couldn’t be more poignant. With the WNBA playoffs looming and college hoops heating up for March Madness bids, Cunningham’s words transcend rivalry lines. Fans flooded replies with support: “Sophie speaking facts—Audi’s a beast!” one wrote, while another shared a clip of Crooks’ record-breaking putback dunk. Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly, reached for comment, praised the gesture: “Audi’s our rock. Hearing this from a pro like Sophie? It means the world.”
Crooks, ever the stoic, hasn’t responded publicly yet, but sources close to the program say she’s “humbled and fired up.” In an league rife with physicality and scrutiny—where rookies like Clark endure hazing and veterans like Cunningham battle injuries—this defense feels like a clarion call for empathy. As Cunningham signed off, she added a mic-drop: “Protect your own, elevate the game. Audi Crooks? She’s untouchable.”
Cunningham’s stand not only spotlights Crooks’ 22.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game but reignites debates on women’s sports toxicity. Will it quiet the noise? Or fuel more fire? One thing’s clear: in Cunningham’s world, betrayal gets called out—and legends get lifted. (198 words)
