Courtney Lee, who starred at WKU from 2005-08 and earned All-American honors as a senior, helped the Orlando Magic to the organization's first NBA Finals appearance since 1995. The Magic won the organization's first-ever NBA Finals game before ultimately bowing out to the L.A. Lakers 4-1.
The Magic earlier defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and the Lee was the 22nd overall selection in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. He saw action in 21 playoff games, starting 16, and averaged 26.2 minutes per game. While playing solid defense, Lee is also averaged 8.0 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game. He has converted 23 of his 26 free throw attempts for a sterling 88.5% from the line. Lee helped the Magic to a 59-23 regular season record while seeing action in 77 regular season games during his rookie season, and averaged 8.4 points per game along with 2.3 rebounds per game and 1.2 assists per game. Lee earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year honors in 2008 and led WKU to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and a “Sweet 16” appearance in the NCAA Tournament. His 2,238 career points as a Hilltopper tied him with Jim McDaniels for WKU’s all-time lead. He ranks among the top 10 in the school’s career record books in 16 different categories while setting new WKU standards with 127 games started, 3,957 minutes played, an 81.7 free- throw percentage and 611 attempts from beyond the three-point arc. Lee also ended his four-year career ranked in the top 10 in the Sun Belt Conference in points (third), steals (fifth) and three-pointers (eighth).
