The inevitable question came moments after the Kansas State women's basketball season ended last Saturday with an NCAA Tournament loss to Southern California in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16.

What did the future hold for Ayoka Lee, the Wildcats' all-time leading scorer , rebounder and shot blocker?

"That's a tomorrow question," Lee said.

On Thursday night, Lee gave her answer in a long social media post, explaining why after seven years of battling numerous injuries she would not pursue a professional basketball career in the WNBA. It was time to listen to her body and move on.

"Words could never fully encapsulate how good God has been to me over the past seven years, and I am so thankful that he wanted me here at K-State," Lee wrote. "Though I would be doing myself an injustice by not admitting that it came with a lot of obstacles, moments of questioning, and moments of having to endure injuries that made me want to give up.

"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. For this reason, I've decided to forgo the draft and explore the next season of life apart from basketball."

At 6-foot-6 Lee was a dominating presence on the basketball court, receiving countless Big 12 all-conference and even All-America honors after enrolling at K-State in the fall of 2018 out of Byron, Minnesota. She scored an NCAA-record 61 points in a 2022 game against Oklahoma and averaged 18.6 points and 9.3 rebounds over a 136-game career.

But Lee also is uniquely qualified to pursue a career outside of basketball. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology, a master's in couple and family therapy and is finishing up another master's in personal financial planning.

Lee also shouted out to K-State fans for their support.

"It has been an absolute honor to represent this university for the last seven years," she said. "When I arrived at K-State I was a 17-year-old who felt like I had to prove myself but never imagined I would accomplish all that I have.

"Through the highest highs and lowest low, I always knew I was supported not only by my close circle but also by our incredible fan base. You guys are what makes this place so special."

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.