EJ Lee was truly ahead of her time.
Meet EJ Lee
EJ Lee is a visionary former basketball player who began her journey in South Korea and eventually immigrated to America in 1982 with just a suitcase and dictionary in hand. She proceeded to dominate NCAA women's basketball for the next four years, ending her career as one of the most decorated student-athletes of her alma mater.
To name a few accolades, EJ became a 3-time All-American, 4-time Southland Conference Player of the Year (1 of 5 men or women in the NCAA to accomplish this feat), and a Louisiana Hall of Famer (1 of 7 women inducted in history). EJ finished her college career with a record of 102 wins and 15 losses.
EJ Lee was truly ahead of her time. What was electrifying about her play was her incredible behind-the-back passes, no-look assists, and step-back jumpers, all skills that may be common in today's modern game but were practically unheard of in the women's game in the 1980s. Thousands of people lined up to witness EJ put on a show, and so she did with great intensity, focus, and humbleness.
What is more remarkable about EJ's journey is that she is now a 60-year-old coach who has worked for nearly three decades as an assistant, keeping her dream alive to one day receive the keys to a college program and become a head coach. EJ has persevered time and time again through the seemingly insurmountable challenges of being a female Asian American coach in a male-dominated field.
This past August, EJ Lee became a first-time college head coach for a Division III women's basketball program at Sul Ross State University. In her first year alone, EJ has led her team to immense success, setting the best winning record and notching the most conference wins in school history.
EJ continues to break barriers as an older woman of color in the sport that she has dedicated her entire life to. EJ's inspiring story deserves to be shared with women and young girls everywhere, the larger Asian American community, and immigrants who strive for a better future for themselves and their families.
