Chris Lee Becomes Newest Nanooks Men’s Basketball Signee – University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

FAIRBANKS – Chris Lee, a 6-1 guard from Ketchikan, Alaska is the newest addition to Coach Frank Ostanik’s men’s basketball roster. Lee signs with the Nanooks after two seasons with Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Wash. 

The Tritons are a member of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).

“If you love Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball, this is a huge day.” Said Coach Ostanik on Lee’s recent signing, “The first recruiting call I made was to Crhis. He is a dynamic player who can score from all three levels. Nobody knows that better than me since I watched him put 44 up on my Monroe team in back-to-back games. More importantly, as is the case with all great players, Chris makes others around him better. Finally, he is an Alaskan. We want all great Alaskan players to wear the blue and gold.” 

Lee played at Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan, Alaska, and was a 2019 4A Alaska State Champion, defeating Dimond in the championship game. That state championship run saw Lee earn All-Tournament Team honors and he was a two-time player of the game. Following Ketchikan High, Lee took his talents to Edmonds Community College where he was an immediate star for the Tritons. In year one, 2022-23, he appeared in 28 total games, starting all but two. From the floor, he shot 49.5% while adding a 36.7% clip from deep for 15.3 points per game. In addition to his efficient scoring, Lee added 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game and saw him earn a 2023 Second Team NWAC All-Region honor.

Year two saw Lee play in 17 games for Edmonds; he started in all 17 of those contests. He went on to score in double-digits in all but one game throughout 2023-24 and he posted nine 20+ point performances including a season-high 28 points in a 77-74 win over Shoreline Community College. He went 9-15 from the floor, 2-4 from deep, and 8-8 from the free-throw line while adding 11 rebounds, three steals and an assist in the victory. Lee led the Tritons to a 22-9, 11-3 North NWAC record, a North Region Championship, and a trip to the NWAC Elite Eight before a season-ending loss to Green River College. On the season Lee averaged 19.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 52.4% from the floor, 32.6% from deep, and 74.6% from the charity stripe. All of this earned him 2024 First Team NWAC All-Region honors, a unanimous 2024 North Region Player of the Year award, and a nod as a 2023-24 NABC NWAC All-America Team member, just the second Triton to receive the All-American status. 

“With Chris, we know we are getting a highly talented young man who has been coached at a high level, both by Coach Stockhausen in Ketchikan and Coach Gray at Edmonds CC.” Added Coach Ostanik, “His IQ and feel for the game are exceptional. I envision young players walking around town with ‘LEE’ on the back of their jerseys. I’m thrilled for our program and our fans. Finally, I want to commend Coach Karlberg on the job he’s done on the recruiting trail. His connection to players and the level of trust players have in him cannot be understated or overvalued.” 

Additional signees will be announced throughout the summer.

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