In March of 2024, Elizabeth Kitley was going in for a fast-break layup when everything changed. In Virginia Tech's regular season final, Kitley came down and tore her ACL, ending her college career against Virginia, but it didn't stop her from being drafted in the WNBA Draft a month later.
In the second round of the WNBA Draft in 2024 in New York, despite her injury, the Las Vegas Aces took Kitley with the 24th overall pick. She would miss the entire 2024 season, but it gave her comfort that she was picked and could rehab with an organization. On Monday, the Aces cut ties with the former Hokies star.
Las Vegas Aces release Elizabeth Kitley after a slew of moves
On Monday, Las Vegas made a trade to acquire NaLyssa Smith from the Dallas Wings in exchange for the Aces' 2027 first-round draft pick. Amid some other roster transactions to get everyone on the roster, the Aces released Kitley and Tiffany Mitchell.
Kitley struggled to get onto the floor for Las Vegas, playing in 12 games and averaging just 8.2 minutes a night with 1.3 points and 1.4 rebounds a game. They are currently 8-8 on the season and in the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings.
It's too bad that things ended this way for Kitley after what she went through at the end of her college career, and then worked so hard to get back onto the court this season. Hopefully, there is a team that takes a chance on her and that her pro career doesn't end this way. With her inside presence at both ends of the floor, you would have to think that someone will sign her for the rest of the season and give her a chance to turn things around with more playing time.