By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – The Illinois State Men’s Basketball Season Celebration, originally scheduled for April 13, will now take place Monday, April 24, beginning at 6 p.m., in Redbird Arena.
The event was rescheduled in an effort to allow senior guard Paris Lee to attend. Lee earned an invitation to showcase his skills at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, April 12-15, in Portsmouth, Virginia. April 24 is the soonest that the season celebration can take place based on Illinois State facility availability and men’s basketball recruiting schedules.
As one of 20 seniors invited to play in the Reese’s College All-Star Game April 31 at the Final Four, Lee recorded nine points, four assists and three rebounds in 19 minutes. The Maywood, Illinois, native started at point guard for the West All-Stars.
The 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Larry Bird Player of the Year and MVC Defensive Player of the Year, Lee was also an AP All-America Honorable Mention selection. He led the MVC and ranks 50th nationally with 1.9 steals and 5.0 assists per game.
Lee is the nation’s active career steals leader and holds ISU’s program record, with 248 steals, and he ranks fourth in ISU career assists, with 495. As a senior, Lee started all 35 games to set the program starts record (132) and ranks 21st on ISU’s career scoring list, with 1,268 points. Lee is the second player in Redbird history to earn 1,000 points, 400 assists and 200 steals.
The celebration is free and open to the public, with free parking available in lots surrounding Redbird Arena. Additionally, a limited edition poster commemorating the 2016-17 ISU men’s basketball campaign will be given away, while supplies last.
