Kansas State women's basketball loses All-American Ayoka Lee to season-ending knee surgery
Kansas State women's basketball hopes for 2022-23 took a major hit Thursday with the news that All-American center Ayoka Lee will undergo season-ending knee surgery.
Lee, a 6-foot-6 senior from Byron, helped lead the Wildcats to a 20-13 record last season as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"I am devastated for 'Yokie,'" K-State coach Jeff Mittie said in a statement. "She has battled this knee injury for two years. We were hopeful with a summer procedure and extended rest, she would be able to play this upcoming season.
More: Kansas State basketball star Ayoka Lee scores NCAA-record 61 points in win over No. 14 Oklahoma
"Unfortunately, after meeting with the medical staff the last couple of days she will require season-ending surgery. We will support Yokie through her recovery and rehab and look forward to her returning to the court for the 2023-24 season."
Lee, who already has her undergraduate degree, indicated that she plans to stay in school and return to the court next year.
The senior averaged 22 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last year and was a first-team All-American selection by The Athletic and Sports Illustrated, plus a second-team pick by the Associated Press and United State Basketball Writers Association. She was also a unanimous All-Big 12 selection and a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award.
On Jan. 23, Lee set an NCAA Division I single-game record by scoring 61 points in a 94-65 victory over Oklahoma.
More: No. 1 seed NC State sends Kansas State women's basketball home with 89-57 NCAA Tournament loss
"While it deeply saddens me that I cannot be on the court with my teammates this season, I am fully committed to getting healthy and contributing as a leader on the sideline," Lee said. "Although my role will be different, I am confident in what we will accomplish as a team this year. There is no other team, coaches or support staff I would want to work through this with.
"As my team surrounds me in support through my recovery, my hope is that Wildcat Nation will continue to surround our team with the same love and support they always have. I look forward to getting back on the court and finishing my graduate degree in 2023-24. Forever thankful and blessed to be a Wildcat."
K-State had high hopes for a return to the NCAA Tournament with Lee leading the way. Now that she's out for 2022, the Wildcats will have to rely on sophomore standouts Serena Sundell, Brylee Glenn and Jaelyn Glenn, who return with a year's experience, and a highly regarded recruiting class coming in.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State women's basketball center Ayoka Lee lost for the season
