MANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State senior center Ayoka Lee will be out for approximately four weeks due to an ankle injury, the program announced on Friday.
Lee sustained the injury during a game last week but continued playing. A precautionary MRI on Thursday revealed a small fracture, leading to successful surgery on Friday morning. She is expected to return to action in about four weeks.
Lee, from Byron, Minnesota, has been having a stellar 2023-24 season, averaging 19.8 points with a career-best .677 field goal percentage, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocked shots per game. She ranks second nationally and leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage, is fourth in the Big 12 in scoring average, and second in blocks per game.
A recipient of the Wooden Award Midseason Top-25, Lee has recorded nine games with 20 or more points this season, including her second career 20-20 double-double with 24 points, 21 rebounds, and five blocked shots against Oral Roberts.
Throughout her career, Lee ranks fourth in K-State history for points scored with 2,017, second for rebounds with 1,034, holds the school record for career blocks with 284, and owns the school record for career double-doubles with 55.
K-State will return to Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday to host Kansas for the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at 1 p.m. The halftime show will feature a performance by the Fargo-Moorhead Acro Team. Tickets are available by calling (800) 221-CATS, visiting kstatesports.com/tickets, or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and can be heard on the K-State Sports Network, including flagship stations Sunny 102.5 FM and 1350 KMAN, online at kstatesports.com, or via the K-State Sports app. The game is also available on SiriusXM channels 160 or 202 and the SiriusXM app.