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.
More Stories
How USF’s Maria Clara Andrade became AAC Player of the Year
When Maria Clara Andrade first picked up a volleyball in Taubaté, Brazil, she didn’t imagine the journey that would unfold. At the age of 12, she was encouraged by her father, Mauricio, to take up a sport. Volleyball quickly became her passion, propelling her into a breakout junior career at USF and American Athletic Conference […]
USF QB Israel Carter enters transfer portal
USF’s Israel “Izzy” Carter, who was thrust into a months-long quarterback controversy amid calls to see playing time, has entered the transfer portal Thursday. Carter began the season as the third-string quarterback. He was elevated to the backup role when starter Byrum Brown suffered an injury against Tulane on Sept. 28. Carter’s profile on USF […]
Takeaways from the first day of USF football’s early signing period
A quarterback with strong family ties, an Australian punter plus talent from all over the country. Those are some of the highlights from the 25 recruits that announced their intention to play for USF during the first day of early signing period on Wednesday. From those 25 players, 23 are high school recruits and one […]
USF set to face off against San Jose State in Hawaii Bowl
USF football will head to Honolulu to take on San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The Hawaii Bowl is usually played by mid-level conferences and teams in the football bowl subdivision. The Christmas Eve game, set for an 8 p.m. EST kickoff on ESPN, […]
Reid’s career night powers USF men’s basketball to win over Stetson
Sophomore guard Jayden Reid’s first career 20-point game helped lift USF men’s basketball to a 74-72 win versus Stetson on Tuesday night. In front of a home crowd of 3,408 attendees at the Yuengling Center, Reid scored a career-best 23 points, in addition to a career-high four three-pointers against the Hatters. Related: USF men’s basketball […]
Upcoming UFC event in Tampa sparks excitement among USF’s boxing club
Sophomore David O’Grady developed his passion for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) because of his involvement in martial arts. Now, he has the opportunity to attend an event in Tampa. The UFC’s Dec. 14 event will take place around 10 miles from the USF Tampa campus at Amalie Arena. Related: Here’s how USF says it’s […]