MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the fourth time in her career, K-State senior center Ayoka Lee has been named to Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Wade Watch List. The award is annually given to the best player in college women’s basketball.
Lee was previously named to the Wade Trophy Watch List in the 2021, 2022 and 2024 seasons.
The Wade Trophy is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. It is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen. First awarded in 1978 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), now known as SHAPE America, the Wade Trophy has been presented to the WBCA NCAA Division I National Player of the Year since 2001.
The committee will narrow the watch list for the honor to four finalists in mid-March. The winner of the 2025 Wade Trophy will be announced in April in Tampa — site of the 2025 WBCA Convention and NCAA Women’s Final Four.
Lee adds Tuesday’s recognition to her preseason haul of honors which includes: Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection, preseason All-America Second Team honors from The Athletic, selection to the Wooden Award Watch List, selection to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List, 2024-25 Lisa Leslie Award Watch List and being named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year by the league’s coaches and her unanimous selection to the preseason All-Big 12 team.
During the 2023-24 season, Lee was a Second Team All-America selection by The Athletic, a Third Team All-America honoree by The Sporting News, an honorable mention Associated Press All-American, an honorable mention WBCA All-American, a 2024 John R. Wooden Award National Ballot top-15 candidate, an All-Big 12 First Team selection, a Big 12 All-Defensive Team member and Big 12 All-Tournament Team recipient.
In her career, Lee ranks third in school history for points scored with 2,201, holds the school record for career scoring average at 19.1, owns the school record for career rebounds with 1,122, holds the school record for career rebounding average at 9.8, the school record holder for career blocks with 312 and blocks per game at 2.71 and owns the school record for career double-doubles with 60. She is the first player in program history with 300 or more career blocks and 100 or more career steals.
K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage. Order now by visiting kstatesports.com/tickets or calling 1-800-221-CATS.
K-State, ranked 10th in this week’s Associated Press poll, continues its five-game homestand on Thursday evening as the Wildcats host Creighton at 5:30 p.m. Thursday’s game is Purple Pride Night, as fans are encouraged to wear purple. Thursday’s game will feature a halftime performance from the national act Episode One. For tickets, visit kstatesports.com/tickets or call (800) 221-CATS.
Thursday’s game will air on ESPN2 and on the ESPN app and will also be available on the K-State Sports Network and the flagship stations of K-State women’s basketball in Manhattan, Sunny 102.5 and 1350 KMAN.
