It’s been a rollercoaster of a year for Kansas State Wildcats star Ayoka Lee.
The 6-foot-6 center, whose individual exploits have become synonymous with the rise of the Wildcats program since her arrival in 2019, had recently broken the NCAA record for points scored in a game (61) and had earned All-American honors when the decision was made for her to undergo knee surgery to address a lingering injury. Lee would be forced to sit out the entirety of her senior season as she recovered.
Lee is back for the 2023-24 campaign, however, and she’s led Kansas State (9-1) to a terrific start. The Wildcats already have wins over the Iowa Hawkeyes and North Carolina Tar Heels to their name, and they’re currently ranked No. 13 in the country by the Associated Press—a ranking that may very well improve in the coming days.
During the Wildcats’ hot start, Lee has been as big of a factor as expected. And every win only adds to her off-court allure, too. One of the most beloved players in program history, Lee—affectionately known as “Yokie”—even has her own dedicated page on the Kansas State athletics website that includes video highlights, news snippets from various outlets, a photo gallery and, most recently, a mini-documentary detailing her journey back after…
