Laksa makes draft decision, but future at USF still unclear
Kitija Laksa waves to the crowd on senior night at the Yuengling Center. Laksa announced Sunday she will not be enterting this year's WNBA Draft, however her future at USF remains unknown. ORACLE PHOTO/BRIAN HATTAB
Not much had been known about USF women’s basketball star Kitija Laksa’s future heading into Sunday.
Now, it’s at least known where the immediate future won’t take her — the WNBA.
Laksa announced via Instagram on Sunday that she would not be entering this year’s WNBA Draft, instead choosing to focus on rehabbing her knee. Laksa missed almost the entire 2018-19 season after tearing her ACL and meniscus in the third game of the season.
“I have decided not to enter this year’s WNBA Draft,” Laksa wrote. “I will be focusing on my knee’s rehabilitation and taking it day by day.”
However, Laksa did not specify whether she would declare a medical redshirt and return to USF for a fifth year. USF Associate Director of Communications Lorie Garnett could only confirm Laksa’s decision to not enter the draft but nothing beyond that.
Should Laksa decide to return to USF, she would stand to set the program’s all-time scoring record. Laksa, who currently sits at No. 6 all-time, would need 638 points to pass Jessica Dickson for the top spot.
Coach Jose Fernandez reportedly has spoken with Laksa and said she is keeping all her options open at this point, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Laksa had until Monday to declare for the WNBA Draft.
Laksa is scheduled to graduate in May with a bachelor’s in psychology.
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