MANHATTAN, KS – In a move that will surprise many Wildcat fans, one of the most dominant players in Kansas State women’s basketball history, senior center Ayoka Lee, has announced her retirement from the sport. Lee took to social media on Thursday to declare that she will forego the upcoming WNBA Draft and move on from her basketball career after exhausting her collegiate eligibility.
In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, Lee reflected on her impactful journey as a Wildcat. “From these experiences I’ve learned that I am capable of more than I think I am but also that it’s important to listen to what your body whispers to you before it begins to scream at you,” she wrote.
Elaborating on her decision, Lee stated, “For this reason, I’ve decided to forgo the draft and explore this next season of life apart from basketball. I am so extremely thankful for all the support & love that I’ve felt from our fan base over the years and I am so excited to see what God has in store for me next.”
Lee concluded her announcement with a clear expression of her pride in her time at K-State: “I am forever honored to be a Wildcat.”
Ayoka Lee leaves behind an incredible legacy in Manhattan. The towering center has been a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 Conference and on the national stage. Her accolades and record-breaking performances have solidified her place as a true legend in the program’s history.
