Injured Kitley is 24th pick
Torn ACL will likely sideline Virginia Tech star for this season
The most decorated player in Virginia Tech women’s basketball history is headed to the WNBA, but her debut will likely be delayed a year.
Center Elizabeth Kitley was a second-round selection of the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA draft on Monday night in Brooklyn, New York. She was the 12th pick of the round and 24th overall.
Kitley appeared to be a lock as a first-round pick, but she suffered a torn ACL in the Hokies’ regular-season finale on March 3. She’s expected to miss the upcoming WNBA season, which starts May 14.
The accolades the 6-6 Kitley compiled during her college career are numerous. Some of the highlights include:
■ Two-time All-American
■ Three-time ACC Player of the Year
■ Two-time ACC champion
■ Four-time All-ACC first-team selection
■ Four NCAA Tournament appearances
Kitley averaged 22.8 points and 11.4 rebounds a game this past season, leading the Hokies to their first ACC regular-season title in program history. She holds many school records, including total points (2,709), field-goal percentage (55.2%) and blocks (331). She also owns ACC records for rebounds (1,506) and double-doubles (76).
Virginia Tech reached the Final Four for the first time in the 202223 season.
The Hokies have had a player selected in the WNBA draft for three straight years for the first time. Kayana Traylor was the 23rd overall pick last year by Chicago and Aisha Sheppard went No. 23 to Las Vegas in 2022.
Also on Monday night, guard Ashley Owusu, who spent a season at Virginia Tech before finishing her career at Penn State, was a third-round selection of the Dallas Wings. She went 33rd overall.
She averaged 17.7 points a game for the Nittany Lions.
Former James Madison star Kiki Jefferson was a third-round pick of the Minnesota Lynx, going 31st overall. She played her final college season at Louisville, averaging 15 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.