Elizabeth Kitley is the greatest women’s basketball player in Virginia Tech history. Truthfully, Kitley is the greatest basketball player in school history and one of the most successful athletes in Virginia Tech history.
Unfortunately, Kitley’s WNBA career suffered a setback on Monday when the Las Vegas Aces surprisingly released her among several roster moves.
Kitley appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 1.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. She averaged around eight minutes of playing time per contest. Kitley made one start for Las Vegas.
Kitley was a five-star prospect when she committed to the Hokies out of high school. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Kitley became a three-time All-American, three-time ACC Player of the Year, four-time first-team All-ACC selection, three-time first-team All-ACC defensive selection, ACC Rookie of the Year and the leading scorer in school history.
Kitley and Georgia Amoore helped lead Tech to the first Final Four appearance in school history — men’s or women’s. The Hokies led eventual champion LSU for much of the game until a late-game comeback ended VT’s hopes for its first national championship.
Sadly, Kitley’s college career ended with a torn ACL at the end of the 2024 regular season. It ruined any chance the Hokies had of making another run at the Final Four and the national title. Tech lost early in the NCAA Tournament, and head coach Kenny Brooks bolted to Kentucky without saying goodbye.
The Hokies wasted no time in honoring Kitley, retiring her No. 33 during a game at Cassell Coliseum last season. Due to her injury, Kitley fell to No. 24 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft and missed her entire rookie season recovering from her knee injury.
Kitley will not be unemployed for long. We’re rooting for you, Liz.