“She’s definitely different… [from] any point guard Iowa State has ever had.“
Strong words from arguably the most dominant player in women’s college basketball, Audi Crooks. This is just one of the many great sentiments people have stated about junior guard Jada Williams.
For her, the spotlight has always been there. She was a highly sought after recruit, a McDonald’s All-American, an Overtime/social-media star, and more.
Instead of letting it get to her head, she put her head down and worked even harder. After flipping her commitment from UCLA to Arizona in 2022, she began her collegiate career as a Wildcat for two years.
Since transferring from Arizona, the Kansas City, Mo. native has shown flashes of greatness for the Cyclones.
Williams elite court vision has propelled Iowa State into a legitimate contender. Not that they weren’t already contenders with Crooks at the helm, but now the ceiling has been raised.
She hasn’t just played her role—she’s excelled in it. The rich got richer when Williams landed in Ames.
Sitting third nationally in assists per game this season with 7.7 further emphasizes her immediate impact.
The true point guard archetype has disappeared in today’s game of basketball. While many players are looking to create for themselves, Williams is looking to get her teammates involved.
This is exactly what she’s been doing all season long.
You don’t accidentally double your assist averages in one season. It takes a great selfless attitude to consistently find open looks for your peers.
Williams undeniable influence on the Cyclones might not even lie within her own stats.
Crooks is one of the best centers and players in college basketball right now.
She’s averaging more points, rebounds and assists than she was last season. She’s also averaging less turnovers.
One of the biggest differences in her stats are her shooting splits. In 2024-25 Crooks was shooting 60/0/68.
This season she is shooting a monstrous 68% from the field while also shooting 16% from behind the arc. Her free-throw percentage rounds out to 68%, replicating last season.
Having a near 70% chance to score every time you shoot the ball is insane. Playing primarily inside the paint definitely helps, but if it was so easy, everybody else would do it.
As much as Crooks deserves the credit, Williams does as well. She’s opened up the court for Crooks, standout junior forward Addy Brown and the rest of her teammates.
Her ability to space the floor and play fast-paced puts her team in position to succeed game after game. This effort currently has the Cyclones nationally ranked at 19.
Despite three straight brutal losses to unranked Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Colorado, the Cyclones’ spirits remain high. They believe they will overcome these midseason hiccups and Williams will be integral in that recovery.
While they have struggled in Big 12 play with a current record of 2-4, it’s better to lose now versus in March.
The Cyclones will be undoubtedly be a team to keep an eye on as the NCAA tournament approaches.
Williams has commanded the floor all season, proving she’s the perfect Robin to Crooks’ Batman. It’ll be exciting to see this star tandem go to work late this season.
So yes, Jada Williams is ‘different’, as Crooks mentioned before the season began. She’s the missing piece the Cyclones have been waiting for.
