Lee is the third ISU player to earn the Larry Bird Trophy as the league's top player, joining Tarise Bryson (2001) and Rico Hill (1998). Previous Redbirds to win the Defensive Player of the Year were Dinma Odiakosa (2010), current ISU coach Dan Muller (1996, 1997) and Randy Blair (1990).
In voting for Player of the Year, Lee received 100 total points to easily outdistance the Wichita State duo of Markis McDuffie (34) and Landy Shamet (30). Voting was done by coaches, sports information directors and a media panel (voters could not vote for their own players or players they cover).