MANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State junior center Ayoka Lee has continued to garner accolades for her efforts on the floor this season, as the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced the John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's Late Season Top 20 Watch List with Lee as one of the 20 to receive the distinction this evening.
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2022 John R. Wooden Award Women's Player of the Year presented by Wendy's. Players not chosen to the preseason or midseason list are still eligible for the Wooden Award™ National Ballot.
The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team™ will be announced the week of the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2022 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.
For the season, Lee leads the Big 12 and ranks second in the nation in scoring average (25.0 ppg), leads the Big 12 and the nation in total points (526) and leads the nation in field goals made (217). She tops the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.582) and blocks (3.2 bpg). She also leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth in the nation in double-doubles (14). Her 526 points and 217 made field goals are new career single-season highs.
The 2022 Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year Watch List member and 2022 Lisa Leslie Award candidate is second in the league in rebounding (10.7 rpg) and seventh in free throw percentage (.767).
Lee is the only player in the nation with 500 or more points, 200 or more rebounds and 60 or more blocked shots.
In league play, Lee leads the Big 12 in scoring (26.8 ppg), field goal percentage (.596) and rebounds (10.2 rpg). She is third in the league in blocked shots (2.2 bpg).
K-State begins the second half of its 2022 Big 12 schedule in Ames, Iowa, as the Wildcats face (13/13) Iowa State on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday's game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The game will also be available on the K-State Sports Network and for free at kstatesports.com and on the K-State Sports app.