Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball sophomore center Kara Lee has signed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City to continue her playing career.

Signing during Division I’s early signing period, Lee, a 6-foot-4 center from Topeka, is the first player from the 2011-12 Lady Dragons to sign for next season. She is the second straight Lady Dragon to sign with UMKC in as many seasons, joining Emile Blakesley, who is a junior with the Kangaroos this season.

Lee has gotten off to a strong start this season, averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds through four games for the seventh-ranked Lady Dragons (4-0). She is shooting 50 percent from the field (12 of 24) She has six steals and three blocked shots.

Lee is coming off her first career double-double on Saturday against Marshalltown where she had 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. She also had three steals. Lee has scored in double figures in three of Hutchinson’s first four  games this season.

As a freshman, Lee played in 33 games and averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. She shot 43.4 percent from the field with 20 blocked shots and 11 steals.

Lee scored a season-high 15 points against Dodge City, shooting 6 of 6 from the field. She also had her season high of six rebounds.

Lee is HCC head coach John Ontjes’ seventh Division I signing in four-plus seasons with the Lady Dragons.

(HCC Sports Information)