Rutgers Women’s Basketball has added Kansas State forward Imani Lester from the transfer portal, with Lester arriving on campus with two years of eligibility left.
“Imani is a fantastic addition to our program,” said Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington. “She’s a talented, versatile forward with a strong basketball background—much like Zachara Perkins.
Imani brings a high basketball IQ, a competitive edge, and valuable NCAA Tournament experience. Her skill set gives us flexibility on the court and the ability to create mismatches.”
The 6-foot-4 forward spent two seasons at Kansas State, averaging 2.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game during her time there.
In her redshirt freshman season, Lester played in 19 games, averaging 1.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in about six minutes per game. She saw increased playing time as a sophomore, appearing in all 34 games and averaging 2.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11 minutes per contest.
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Her contributions helped Kansas State finish 28-8 and reach the Sweet Sixteen. That season, she also set personal bests in multiple statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, and steals.
Lester’s impact extended beyond scoring—she developed into a reliable rim protector, notching 13 blocks and seven steals in her first year and improving to 19 blocks and 18 steals as a sophomore. With the departures of Destiny Adams and Chyna Cornwell, her presence addresses a key need for the Scarlet Knights.
While not a high-volume scorer, Lester was efficient when she did shoot, hitting 49.2% from the field last season. Her free throw shooting, however, was an area of struggle, converting just 50% from the line.
A North Carolina native, Lester played high school ball at North Raleigh Christian Academy, where her father, Avie Lester, is the head coach. She was a four-star recruit ranked No. 57 overall and the eighth-best post player in her class by ESPNW HoopGurlz.
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