New video of Ayoka Lee practicing after injury should have Kansas State fans excited
The news Kansas State fans have been waiting for is officially here. As promised, star seventh-year senior Ayoka Lee is set to make her return to the court in the NCAA Tournament.
In a video from On3’s Talia Goodman, Lee is shown practicing with the team on the court, working through drills, and playing against the practice squad without any restrictions. Lee can be seen backing opponents down and even making solid post moves on the block.
Lee didn’t seem to have any issues with the move and was working well with her team around her.
Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee is good to go for the NCAA Tournament, a team spokesperson told @On3sports.
Here’s a video of Lee in practice today. pic.twitter.com/bgN5d1wcrc
— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) March 13, 2025
Lee had been sidelined this season with a foot injury in mid-January when he had fractured a bone in her foot against Arizona State. This kept Lee off the court for weeks until she tried to come back against Kansas, but only played five minutes before she limped off the court again, this time injury the other foot.
The second foot injury kept Lee out for the rest of the regular season and the Big 12 Tournament after she had a small procedure. The Wildcats seriously missed Lee’s presence towards the end of the season as Kansas State lost their final two regular season games.
The Wildcats missed Lee even more in the Big 12 Tournament, especially in their second-round loss to Baylor, a game Kansas State needed scoring in the paint desperately. Simply Lee’s presence in the game pulls the defense in towards the paint, taking attention away from star guard Serena Sundell and other Kansas State stars.
Having Lee back for the NCAA Tournament will be huge, especially with how rested she will be. The only problem is that she may have to get back into game shape, missing so much time since January. Head coach Jeff Mittie will have to be smart with how he integrates Lee back into the game but also not give too much leeway, as now is the time for Kansas State to step up and play their best basketball of the season.
