Elizabeth Kitley Bio
Elizabeth Ann Kitley (born September 17, 2001) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. A standout center, she played college basketball at Virginia Tech and was drafted 24th overall in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Las Vegas Aces. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, Kitley is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. Her combination of scoring touch, rebounding tenacity, and shot-blocking instincts has drawn national attention since her high school years.
After recovering from a serious knee injury that cut her final college season short, Kitley signed her rookie contract with the Aces in February 2025 before being waived later that summer. She briefly joined the Golden State Valkyries on a hardship contract in September 2025, though she did not appear in a game for the expansion franchise. As of late 2025, she remains a free agent weighing her next opportunity in the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Elizabeth Ann Kitley was born on September 17, 2001, in Summerfield, North Carolina. She grew up in a sports-minded household and spent her early years playing basketball, softball, and volleyball. By fifth grade, she considered softball her favorite sport, but everything changed before her freshman year of high school. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall entering Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, she made the decision to focus exclusively on basketball.
The choice paid off quickly. As a sophomore, Kitley led Northwest Guilford to its first 4A state championship and was named most valuable player (MVP) of the title game. She helped her team repeat as state champions during her junior season, earning tournament MVP honors for the second consecutive year. Before her senior campaign, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament during an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) game, underwent surgery, and returned just in time for the final two games of the season. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, she committed to play for Virginia Tech under head coach Kenny Brooks.
Path to Basketball
Kitley’s path to elite-level basketball was shaped by family influence and personal dedication. Her father, Ralph Kitley, played professional basketball in Germany and Brazil after a college career at Wake Forest, and later worked as a high school principal, teacher, and basketball coach. Growing up around the game gave Elizabeth an early understanding of the work required to reach the top.
Her two state championships at Northwest Guilford established her as one of the most dominant high school big players in North Carolina. The ACL injury tested her resolve, but her swift return and her five-star ESPN ranking confirmed her status as a national recruit. By the time she enrolled at Virginia Tech in 2019, Kitley had already built a reputation as a skilled post player with a rare combination of size, footwork, and court awareness.
Elizabeth Kitley Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Kitley made an immediate impact at Virginia Tech. On November 5, 2019, she scored 27 points on 13-of-15 shooting in her collegiate debut against Saint Francis (PA), setting a program record for most points by a freshman in a first game. She finished her freshman year averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, earning ACC Freshman of the Year and a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.
As a sophomore in 2020–21, Kitley raised her production to 18.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. She posted 30 points and 11 rebounds against Appalachian State on December 4, 2020, and tied the program single-game rebounding record with 21 boards in a loss to Wake Forest on January 17, 2021. Her performance earned her first-team All-ACC recognition and confirmed her status as one of the conference’s premier interior players.
Virginia Tech Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Kitley’s junior year elevated her to national prominence. She opened the season with a program-record 17 made field goals and 34 points against George Washington on November 11, 2021. After a shoulder injury briefly sidelined her during the 2022 ACC tournament, she returned in time for the NCAA tournament, where she set the Virginia Tech single-game scoring record with 42 points in a first-round loss to Florida Gulf Coast. She averaged 18.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game and was named ACC Player of the Year, third-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP) and United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Coaches’ All-American.
Her senior season brought even greater team success. On February 23, 2023, Kitley set the Virginia Tech career scoring record with a game-winning buzzer beater against North Carolina. She led the Hokies to their first NCAA Final Four, averaging 18.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. She repeated as ACC Player of the Year and earned second-team All-American honors from the AP and USBWA.
Las Vegas Aces Era (2024–2025)
After exploring her draft options the previous year, Kitley returned to Virginia Tech for a fifth season of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 21, 2023, she became the ACC all-time leader in rebounds. On January 7, 2024, she hit a game-winning layup against No. 3 NC State. Her season ended on March 3, 2024, when she suffered a left ACL injury against the University of Virginia.
The Las Vegas Aces selected Kitley with the 24th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft on April 15, 2024. While she recovered, the Aces suspended her contract and reserved her rights, allowing her to use their training facilities. She signed her rookie contract on February 3, 2025, but was waived by the Aces on June 30, 2025. The Golden State Valkyries signed her to a seven-day hardship contract on September 3, 2025, then waived her on September 8, 2025. She did not appear in a WNBA game for either team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kitley became only the fifth player in ACC history to win Player of the Year three times, a remarkable feat that places her among the conference’s all-time greats. She finished her Virginia Tech career as the program’s all-time leader in games started, minutes played, points scored, field-goal percentage, field goals made, double-doubles, rebounds, and blocks. On April 13, 2024, Virginia Tech announced the retirement of her No. 33 jersey, and the ceremony took place at Cassell Coliseum on January 19, 2025. It was the first women’s basketball jersey retired by the Hokies in the 21st century.
Elizabeth Kitley Career Wins
Although her professional WNBA career has been limited by injury timing, Kitley’s trophy case at Virginia Tech is among the most decorated in program history. She earned three ACC Player of the Year awards, four first-team All-ACC selections, three ACC All-Defensive Team honors, and three WBCA Coaches’ All-American nods. She also won two North Carolina 4A state championships in high school.
Virginia Tech Highlights
Kitley’s college highlights include her 42-point performance against Florida Gulf Coast in the 2022 NCAA tournament, the Virginia Tech single-game scoring record. She also delivered game-winning shots against North Carolina in 2023 and No. 3 NC State in 2024, cementing her reputation as a clutch performer. Her 23-rebound record against William & Mary in December 2023 made her the ACC’s all-time leading rebounder.
Elizabeth Kitley Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the Kitley family. Her father, Ralph Kitley, played college basketball at Wake Forest before embarking on a professional career in Germany and Brazil. He later transitioned into education, working as a high school principal, teacher, and basketball coach, giving Elizabeth an early model of discipline and dedication.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a period of transition for Elizabeth Ann Kitley. She signed her rookie contract with the Las Vegas Aces on February 3, 2025, and on January 19, 2025, had her No. 33 jersey retired at Virginia Tech’s Cassell Coliseum. Her time in Las Vegas, however, proved brief, as the Aces waived her on June 30, 2025.
Just over two months later, the expansion Golden State Valkyries signed Kitley to a seven-day hardship contract on September 3, 2025, providing a brief opportunity with a new franchise. The Valkyries waived her on September 8, 2025, without her appearing in a game. With her rookie-scale deal complete and her health restored, Kitley enters the next phase of her career as one of the most accomplished free agents available. Her mix of size, scoring, and rebounding makes her an intriguing option for teams seeking frontcourt depth as the league looks ahead to 2026.