PHOENIX — Former University of South Florida women’s basketball standout and current Phoenix Mercury guard Kitija Laksa was inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame, cementing her place among the most decorated athletes in program history.
Feb 26, 2018; Storrs, CT, USA; South Florida Bulls guard Kitija Laksa (33) shoots against Connecticut Huskies guard Mikayla Coombs (4) in the second half at Gampel Pavilion. UConn defeated South Florida 82-53. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Laksa, who attended USF from 2015 to 2019, was a star for the school’s women’s basketball team. She was a two-time All-American in 2017 and 2018, leading the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
In her time with the Bulls, Laksa averaged 17.8 points, shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc and a record 89.6% from the free-throw line. She finished with 1,764 points, just shy of the school’s all-time scoring mark. A season-ending knee injury during her senior year kept her from breaking the record.
Mar 5, 2017; Uncasville, CT, USA; South Florida Bulls forward Kitija Laksa (33) returns the ball up court against Temple Owls guard Khadijah Berger (21) in the second half of the semifinals during the women’s AAC Conference Tournament at Mohegun Sun Arena. USF defeated Temple 63-58. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Laksa brought her talents to the Mercury, playing the majority of her minutes in the first half of the season while the team dealt with injuries. She’s averaging 5.9 points and 1.2 rebounds, shooting 36.7% from the field and 31.7% from three.
Laksa’s induction into the Hall of Fame marked a full-circle moment, coming on the eve of the WNBA Finals as the Mercury aim for their fourth championship. Phoenix will face the Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-seven series to crown a new WNBA Champion.
Jun 15, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) knocks the ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Kitija Laksa (9) in the second quarter at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Laksa’s induction serves as a timely reminder of her legacy as she helps power the Mercury’s chase for a WNBA title.
Congratulations Kit for being inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/hCqe7V8oZH
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) October 3, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces play Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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