2021-22 Big 12 Athlete of the Year candidates will be highlighted each day at 10 a.m. CT and 2 p.m. CT listed in alphabetical order by school through Friday, July 22.

The winners will be announced the week of July 25. Stay tuned to Big12Sports.com and the Conference’s social media platforms to see the rest of the nominees.

This afternoon's featured candidates are Kansas State's Ayoka Lee and Deuce Vaughn.

Kansas State Female Athlete of the Year Candidate
Ayoka Lee; Basketball
Jr., Byron, Minn.

Accomplishments

• 2021-22 Big 12 All-Defensive Team and unanimously selected to All-Big 12 First Team.
• Set the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball single-game record with 61 points against Oklahoma in Jan. 2022.
• Lisa Leslie Award Finalist, Wooden Award National Ballot Top-15, Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist.
• Only player in the nation during the 2021-22 season to reach 725 or more points, 325 or more rebounds and 90 or more blocks.
• Recognized as Player of the Week 14 times from five different organizations, including four times from the Big 12.

Kansas State Male Athlete of the Year Candidate
Deuce Vaughn; Football
So., Round Rock, Texas

Accomplishments

• 2021 Consensus All-American, which made him the 11^th player in school history to earn the honor.
• Finalist for the 2021 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award.
• Ranked No. 4 in the nation with 22 total touchdowns and No. 5 in scrimmage yards per game.
• Scored 132 points in a season, owning the record for sophomores and ranked third highest among all players.
• First Team Academic All-Big 12 and CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District honoree.

Baylor Nominees 
Iowa State Nominees
Kansas Nominees