Elizabeth Kitley used lost season as opportunity to learn from Aces standouts
Elizabeth Kitley (right) shares a laugh during a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 25. PHOTO: Courtesy LV Aces
By W.G. RAMIREZ
LAS VEGAS -- As Aces president Nikki Fargas gloated over 2024 draft pick Elizabeth Kitley, she expressed her excitement for bringing another big piece to the paint, mentioning the former Virginia Tech standout's "6-foot-4” frame.
"Six," coach Becky Hammon interrupted. "Six-six."
No doubt Hammon knows who she’s getting to help reigning league MVP A'ja Wilson with Kitley in the paint, doing what the newest threat does best - dominate.
Aces president Nikki Fargas (l.) and coach Becky Hammon (r.) stand with Aces Elizabeth Kitley (33) and Jewell Loyd (24) after a press conference held at the team facility on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. PHOTO: Courtesy LV Aces
"You know, Kitley, people forget how good you were, and are, and are working to be," Hammon said to the former Virginia Tech star some say will go down as the greatest Hokie ever during Tuesday's official introductory press conference for Kitley and newest Ace Jewell Loyd, who was originally introduced via Zoom from Miami, where she’s playing in the inaugural Unrivaled season.
Originally drafted 24th overall in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft, Kitley sat out the entire campaign last year after tearing her ACL near the end of her college career, and rehabbed her knee with the Aces medical staff at the organization's world-class facility.
Before tearing her ACL near the end of her college career, though, Kitley ended a sterling five-year career in Blacksburg as the ACC’s all-time leading scorer (2,709) and rebounder (1,506), while shooting a whopping 55.2% from the floor. She also turned in an ACC all-time best 76 double-doubles.
Kitley, who returned to Virginia Tech in January for her No. 33 jersey retirement ceremony at Cassell Coliseum, averaged 17.9 points and 11.4 rebounds in a school-record 151 career games, produced 60 games with 20 or more points and snatched 10 or more rebounds in 81 contests.
Her record book at Va Tech runs deep, too, as she also finished ranked first in minutes played (4,326), double-figure games (125), 30-point games (13), field goals made (1,109), career field goal percentage (55.2), rebound average (10.0), blocks (331), and blocks average (2.2).
"As somebody who's torn two ACLs, it is a process, and it's a journey, and I just want to commend you on your diligence, showing up every day ... putting in the sweat, and it's going to pay off big time,” Hammon said. "Kitley's about as close as we can get to about a No. 1 through 5 pick."
Kitley said she felt the compassion from those around her when she suffered her injury, and knew people felt sorry for her. But she had another outlook considering she had a front-row view of how the team operated during practice, in games, and on rest-and-recovery days.
She took advantage and soaked it all in.
"From day one, I kind of saw the opportunity that I had in front of me and for this lovely organization to bring me in and let me be involved, but still behind the scenes was such a cool opportunity, because not really any other rookies get that," said Kitley, who will again wear No. 33 for the Aces. "You get drafted and then you have to play right away and adjust so fast. But I feel like I've been lucky to be able to observe the people that I've been able to watch. I mean, go down the list with A'ja (Wilson) and Chelsea (Gray) and Jackie (Young) and just such incredible people to look up to ... that's just a rare experience, and I'm very lucky to have had that."
Kitley did say it was tough to sit back and watch an entire season pass her by, missing what would have been her rookie season at a time when the Aces could've used a boost from the bench before having their season end in the playoffs. But she also reiterated what she took from her absence from the court.
"Definitely difficult, considering, especially in college, I didn't really have to do that at all," Kitley said. "I didn't have any injuries or bench time, so it's a completely different perspective.
"But again, kind of like I said earlier, it's just also such a blessing, especially in the midst of a transition. So there's lot of things to be gained from it, too. I think I was really able to take a positive perspective on it. And I'm grateful for the people that allowed me to do that as well."
Kitley said last season undoubtedly will help with the transition as she's whipped into the Aces’ first major transitional stage since Hammon arrived, having moved on from several key players from their back-to-back championship teams, including Kelsey Plum, Alysha Clark and Sydney Colson.
"Instead of feeling thrown in the mix, I feel like I've been prepared," Kitley added, with owner Mark Davis looking on from the audience. "And also just to feel that belief in me has been awesome, because I've been so supported here from day one, and especially by the medical staff. We spend a lot of time together, but it's all you know for something great, and something that I think we all believe in, and that's really exciting, and I'm happy to be a part of it all."
