Kansas State forward Ayoka Lee will be out for an unspecified duration after suffering a foot injury during the second quarter of the Wildcats’ recent victory against Arizona State. Subsequent X-rays and an MRI confirmed that Lee has fractured a bone in her foot. The school has indicated that it is “probable” she may return by the end of the season, with more clarity expected in the coming weeks.

Head coach Jeff Mittie expressed concern following the team’s 81-69 triumph, stating, “It’s not good. It’s not going to be a week or two.” Lee managed to play only 13 minutes in the game before exiting permanently with 4:21 remaining in the first half.

The Wildcats are set to face Colorado on Saturday, and prior to that matchup, they hold an impressive 19-1 record with a 7-0 mark in Big 12 play. The team is currently on a 14-game winning streak, the fourth longest in Division I women’s basketball. Their only defeat this season came against No. 13 Duke during the Ball Dawgs Classic in late November.

Lee has been instrumental to the Wildcats’ success, standing at 6-foot-6 and averaging 16 points with an outstanding shooting percentage of 65.4%. Despite her effectiveness, the forward has seen limited playing time due to several lopsided games. In addition to her scoring, Lee averages 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

Remarkably, Lee set the women’s Division I scoring record with an astounding 61 points against Oklahoma in January 2022. She is also established as Kansas State’s all-time leading scorer with 2,482 points and holds multiple school records for rebounds, blocks, and field goals.

However, Lee has dealt with numerous injuries throughout her career. She redshirted her freshman year due to a knee injury and missed the entire 2022-23 season after undergoing surgery on her other knee. Additionally, she missed several conference games last season because of an ankle injury. This year, Coach Mittie has strategically limited her playing time to ensure her health.

In Lee’s absence, her teammates, including Missouri State transfer Kennedy Taylor, Imani Lester, and Eliza Maupin, will need to step up. “I think it’s just the next-man-up mentality, and I think Eliza came in and played really well for us,” remarked Kansas State guard Taryn Sides following the game against the Sun Devils. “We don’t really know a whole lot about Yokie. Hopefully she’s OK.”