Former All-American E.J. (Lee) Ok’s number will forever hang from the rafters of the building where she has cultivated unforgettable memories and has put in countless hours of work.

“Retiring this jersey is history. I’ve made a lot of history with basketball, but this to me, is unbelievable history,” said Ok.

The accolades and awards that she has compiled over the last thirty years of her basketball career are  staggering.

In her playing days at ULM she was an All-American three times, she set school records for assists and free throws attempted (both of which still stand) and led the 1985 to the women’s final four. Ok was also named Southland Conference Player of the year each year she was at ULM.

Her success was earned, not given.  She first picked up a basketball in fifth grade and never looked back.

“I sat on the bench. I didn’t like that,” said Ok. “I am very competitive. I hate to lose.”

Ok would spend at least three hours per day of her own time working relentlessly on her skills. She knew that if she pushed herself, she could not only get off of the bench but become a special player.

In her native land of Korea, her coach saw unlimited potential right away. In practice, he would often force her to play alone against seven of her teammates. This pushed Ok to improve her ball-handling skills.

Her high school team toured the United States several times playing various high school and AAU teams in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. By this time her skills were fine-tuned and she was well on her way to a basketball scholarship.

Former ULM women’s assistant and head coach, Roger Stockton, first saw Ok play in 1983 directly after her freshman year.

“I was able to coach her for three years and during that time, she just blossomed into one of the best point guards that I’ve seen. She’s by far the best, if not the best point guard I’ve ever watched play,” said Stockton.

Her college playing years molded the person she is off of the court to fit seamlessly with who she was on the court. Stockton says that she really transformed into the great person that she is today.

“She’s a tremendous person,” said Stockton. “For women’s basketball, if they were going to retire anyone’s jersey, I’m glad it’s hers.”

Ok is currently serving as an assistant head coach of the women’s team.

She says that she wants to do everything possible to put ULM back on the map in women’s basketball.

“This university is my alma mater. I love this university. I was successful as a player, I want to be successful as a coach,” said Ok.

“I want to help my players not only become a good player, but a good person as well.”

Ok adds this honor to her long list of accomplishments in her basketball career. She has also been inducted into the ULM Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.