PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers women's basketball head coach Coquese Washington announced the newest addition to the 2025-26 roster in junior transfer Imani Lester from Kansas State.
Lester spent her true freshman season at Louisville before transferring to Kansas State for the past two campaigns.
"Imani is another great addition to our program," Washington said. "She is a highly talented and versatile forward who, like Zachara Perkins, has a strong basketball pedigree. Imani is highly competitive and possesses an impressive basketball IQ. She has NCAA Tournament experience which will pay significant dividends. Most importantly, her skill set will allow us to move her around and create mismatches on the court. I am beyond thrilled that Imani has joined our program."
During the 2024-25 slate, Lester helped the Wildcats to a 28-8 overall record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She set multiple career-highs including points, field goal percentage, rebounds, assists and steals. The Raleigh, North Carolina native saw action in 34 contests.
Lester shot nearly 50 percent from both the field (34-of-69) and the foul line (14-of-28). She also hauled in 2.7 rebounds per game and recorded five or more boards in eight games. She dished out 21 assists, 19 blocks and 18 steals.
As a redshirt freshman, Lester played in 19 games and made one start for K-State. She went 73.7 percent (14-19) from the charity stripe and scored in 13 games. She brought in 30 rebounds in addition to 13 blocks and seven steals.
The 6-foot-4 forward attended high school at North Raleigh Christian Academy, where her father Avie is currently the head coach. She was a four-star prospect and ranked No. 57 overall and the eighth best post player by espnW HoopGurlz.
She played for the varsity team starting in seventh grade and reached 1,000 career points as a freshman. She was named to the 2019 North Carolina Independent Schools Athletics Association (NCISAA) 4A All-State team as well as the 2019 TISAC Player of the Year. In 2022, Lester helped her team to a 25-8 record and the NCISAA state title. She was named to the Charlotte Observer North Carolina first-team Super Team.
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