2 weeks Ago By Staff reports
One of college basketball's most decorated basketball players is stepping away from the game. Former Byron standout and Kansas State women's basketball star Ayoka Lee announced Thursday on social media that she will not pursue a WNBA career and is ready for life after basketball. ADVERTISEMENT “I’ve learned that I am capable of more than I think I am,” Lee wrote on social media, “but also that it’s important to listen to what your body whispers to you before it begins to scream at you.
For this reason, I’ve decided to forgo the draft and explore this next season of life apart from basketball.” Lee fought through a myriad of injuries, missing two entire seasons with knee injuries. Still, the Byron graduate finished her collegiate career as one of the best to put on a K-State uniform.
She finished as the program's all-time leading scorer (2,533) and rebounder (1,262) and was just the third player in Big 12 Conference history with 2,000 or more points, 1,000 or more rebounds and 300 or more blocks. The three-time Associated Press All-American was the only player in program history to have three or more seasons with 75 or more blocks. Her 2.
62 blocks per game are the best in school history. Lee led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament three times, including a Sweet 16 run this year. Along the way, she earned All-America honors and scored a record-breaking 61 points in a game.
She also missed 14 games with foot injuries this year. She now shifts her focus to the master's degree she earned in couple and family therapy. “Words could never fully encapsulate how good God has been to me over the past seven years,” Lee wrote.
“I am so thankful that he wanted me here at K-State. Though I would be doing myself an injustice by not admitting that it came with a lot of obstacles. Moments of questioning and moments of having to endure injuries that made me want to give up.
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