Kansas State women’s basketball center Ayoka Lee to miss more games with injured foot
Ayoka Lee has played a grand total of five minutes in Kansas State’s past 10 games, and it will be a while before her playing time increases.
The senior center announced on Tuesday that she has undergone a minor procedure on her foot. She expects to be sidelined for the next two weeks, which means the Wildcats will be without her when they play Iowa State in the regular-season finale on Sunday and also when they head to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
That’s the bad news for K-State.
But there is some good news, too. Lee expects to be ready to play for the Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament, which begins on March 19.
“I made this decision now,” Lee said in a statement, “in order to give myself 7-10 days of practice in preparation for the NCAA Tournament.”
Lee hopes to return to practice in two weeks after the surgical incision on her foot is healed.
She was averaging 15.5 points and 6.1 rebounds during the first 18 games of the season. But then she suffered a broken foot and missed eight straight games. She returned to the starting lineup over the weekend when K-State hosted KU on senior day inside Bramlage Coliseum. But she only lasted five minutes before heading to the bench with foot soreness.
Lee did not dress for K-State’s loss to Baylor on Monday.
The Wildcats were in first place of the Big 12 standings before Lee got hurt, as they boasted a 19-1 record. They have not been nearly as successful since, going 6-4 without a healthy Lee in the lineup.
A speedy recovery would be best for K-State as it enters the NCAA Tournament, even if it means the Wildcats drop a few more games before then.
In her career, Lee holds the K-State record for points scored with 2,488. She also holds school records for rebounds (1,233), blocks (351) and career field goals made (1,012).