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Former USF hoops star Kitija Laksa turns pro

The long-range extraordinaire has signed with a club in her native Latvia
 
Latvia native Kitija Laksa exited USF as the women's basketball program's No. 6 all-time scorer. [Times files]
Latvia native Kitija Laksa exited USF as the women's basketball program's No. 6 all-time scorer. [Times files]
Published July 26, 2019|Updated July 26, 2019

Former Bulls women’s basketball standout Kitija Laksa finally provided clarity to her blurry basketball future, confirming via Twitter she has signed a one-year deal with a pro club in her native Latvia.

Laksa will join TTT Riga (the T’s stand for Tram and Trolley Trust), a 60-year-old organization that has won 14 Latvian titles and 18 EuroLeague Women’s championships.

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“We are very excited about (Laksa’s) choice to start her professional career in the TTT ranks,” longtime TTT Riga coach Martins Zibarts said in a statement.

“She is a great sniper and a very strong player mentally. These capabilities will allow us to become a stronger team.”

The sixth-leading scorer in USF women’s history (1,764 points) and one of the program’s most efficient 3-point shooters (39.1 percent), Laksa suffered a season-ending knee injury in Game 3 last season.

Initially, she left the door open for a possible return to USF for a final season, but announced in mid-May she had chosen to “close this chapter” with the Bulls and “pursue new challenges.”

At that point, most presumed the 6-foot senior ―who graduated from USF ― would turn pro, but Laksa stunned USF’s fan base by entering the NCAA’s transfer portal.

But Friday’s news shuts the door on her college career.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.