USF’s Kitija Laksa begins play in FIBA Women’s World Cup

Before resuming her assault on USF's record books, Kitija Laksa will try to make history with her homeland.

A native of Riga, Latvia, Laksa begins play with her native country this morning in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Latvia is making its first appearance in the 16-team event, staged every four years and widely considered the premier international women's hoops tournament.

"There's no other feeling than representing my country," Laksa said in a statement released by USF.

"Every time I put on my jersey and sing the national anthem before a game I get the jitters. I'm proud to be Latvia, I'm thankful to have the opportunity to represent Latvia and I'm very excited for the World Cup."

Latvia, competing in Group D opens at 6 a.m. EST today against China. Her team then plays Senegal on Sunday at 9 a.m., and the United States at 1 p.m.

The tournament can be followed at this link.

Laksa, who scored 717 points for the Bulls as a junior last season, set NCAA records for free-throw percentage in a season (96.5, 111-for-115) and consecutive 3-pointers in a game (11).

Related: Almost perfect: USF's Laksa leads nation in free-throw shooting

She enters her final collegiate season sixth on USF's career scoring list (1,715 points). If she even approaches her junior-year output, when she averaged 21.1 points, she'll break Jessica Dickson's school record (2,402) set from 2003-07.