Liz Kitley’s First Year in Vegas: What to Expect
We are just over a month away from the highly anticipated WNBA debut of Elizabeth Kitley. Drafted by the Las Vegas Aces in 2024, Kitley enters the league with both high expectations and a compelling story. After a standout college career at Virginia Tech, her transition to the pros was delayed by an ACL injury that kept her sidelined last season. Now, with the start of a new campaign approaching, all signs point to Kitley being ready to make an impact.
Liz Kitley played five standout seasons at Virginia Tech, leaving an indelible mark on the program. She is the Hokies’ all-time leader in games started, minutes played, points scored, and scoring average. Throughout her career, she averaged an impressive 17.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and two blocks per game—demonstrating her dominance on the floor. However, Kitley’s impact extended far beyond individual stats. She was instrumental in guiding Virginia Tech to its first-ever ACC Championship and a historic Final Four appearance, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in the program. Widely regarded as the greatest player in Virginia Tech women’s basketball history, Kitley’s contributions were formally honored when the university retired her jersey number thirty-three on January 19, 2025.
Kitley suffered a significant setback in March 2024, tearing her left ACL during the regular-season finale against the University of Virginia on March 3. The injury sidelined her for both the ACC and NCAA tournaments, dealing a major blow to Virginia Tech's postseason hopes. Despite missing the entire 2024 WNBA season while recovering, Kitley was selected 24th overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Draft. Widely seen as a “steal,” her draft stock fell solely due to the timing of the injury—had she remained healthy, she was projected to be a top-10 pick.
At six-foot-six, Liz Kitley brings a rare blend of size, skill, and versatility to the league. As she leaps into the WNBA, she'll join a powerhouse Las Vegas Aces squad, teaming up with three-time MVP A’ja Wilson and newly signed Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to bolster their frontcourt. It’s an ideal landing spot for Kitley—one that offers both mentorship and opportunities for development. Surrounded by championship-caliber talent, a system that suits her strengths, and now fully healthy, Kitley is set up to make an immediate impact and develop into a true force in the league.
