Here’s when Kansas State Wildcats expect star center Ayoka Lee to return from injury
The Kansas State women’s basketball team expects star center Ayoka Lee to play again this season after she limped off the court with a foot injury during an 81-69 victory over Arizona State on Sunday at Bramlage Coliseum.
But it may be a while before she is ready to play in her next game for the Wildcats.
An X-ray and precautionary MRI revealed that Lee suffered a fracture in her foot, and she will be sidelined until her body is able to heal.
K-State coach Jeff Mittie expects Lee to return in several weeks. But there is no firm timeline on her recovery. For now, the team simply describes Lee as “probable” to return to action before the end of the regular season in early March.
That could be considered good news after the injury update that Mittie shared Sunday evening.
“It’s not good, guys,” he said. “I don’t have a definitive update, but it’s not going to be a week or two.”
The Wildcats will have to play at least their next few games without Lee, who is the leading scorer in program history. Lee is averaging 16 points and 6.3 rebounds this season. She scored a season-high 34 points against New Mexico State in December and grabbed a season-high 23 rebounds a month earlier against Depaul.
Replacing her won’t be easy, but this is not a new experience for Mittie.
Lee has battled injuries throughout her entire college career. She missed two full seasons because of knee injuries, and she was also sidelined for a few games last year.
For now, K-State will have to make due without her.
The good news for the Wildcats (19-1, 7-0 Big 12) is that they have played, and won, without their best post player before. K-State won 26 games last year while she was in and out of the lineup.
Temira Poindexter has lifted K-State as a scorer since she arrived as a transfer this season. Serena Sundell leads the nation in assists. The Wildcats have a deep roster. Perhaps this team is equipped to survive a prolonged stretch without Lee.
Still, the Wildcats will miss Lee while she is on the sideline.
K-State has won 14 straight games and will return to action on Saturday at Colorado.
This story was originally published January 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Here’s when Kansas State Wildcats expect star center Ayoka Lee to return from injury."