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MVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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MVC Basketball Northern Iowa Panthers guard Wes Washpun Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
MVC Basketball Northern Iowa Panthers guard Wes Washpun Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Paris Lee

A 5’11 point guard from Maywood, Illinois, Lee had a major hand in Illinois State’s most recent on-court success. He joined the Redbirds back in 2013 and would start nearly every game at the point across the next four seasons. Illinois State as a program improved in each of those four seasons, with both Lee and the Redbirds really standing out by year four.

Lee’s first few seasons were effective, though his numbers didn’t exactly jump off the page. Still, he led Illinois State to improvements with each passing year. By his junior year, the Redbirds finished 2nd in the MVC while Lee was at 11.1 points per game. His final season was clearly the winner, leading Illinois State to a phenomenal 28-win campaign and regular season title in the MVC. He averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 assists a game and made nearly 42% of his 3-point shots.

Lee lead the MVC in assists and 3-pointers as a senior, in steals twice, and spearheaded that incredible campaign in 2017. He was named MVC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for his prowess during that senior season. Lee was a monster on both sides of the ball, though it remains sour that Illinois State fell on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, settling for the NIT in that final season.