Kitija Laksa Bio
Kitija Laksa, born on 21 May 1996, is a professional basketball player from Riga, Latvia. Standing 185 cm and playing as a forward, she currently represents the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA after a productive European career. She first rose to prominence as a sharpshooting wing with the South Florida Bulls of the American Athletic Conference before taking her game to club teams in Latvia, Turkey, and Italy. After years of perseverance through injuries and roster setbacks, Laksa finally made her WNBA debut in 2025, more than five years after being drafted.
Across her professional journey, Laksa has built a résumé that includes a EuroLeague Women championship, a FIBA Europe SuperCup Women title, and a Turkish Cup, achievements that reflect her consistency at the highest levels of European competition. Her combination of perimeter shooting, size, and international experience has made her a respected figure in women’s basketball.
Early Life and Background
Kitija Laksa was born and raised in Riga, the capital city of Latvia, a country with a strong basketball tradition that has produced many elite European players. Growing up in this environment gave her early exposure to a basketball culture that values skill, teamwork, and tactical discipline. Riga’s youth development programs, along with school competitions, helped shape her understanding of the game from a young age.
She attended the Riga French Lycée, a secondary school in the Latvian capital known for its academic standards. While balancing her studies, Laksa continued to develop as an athlete, training with local clubs and representing Latvia in age-group national team competitions. Her progress in these formative years drew the attention of college recruiters in the United States.
Her combination of height, shooting touch, and basketball IQ made her a desirable recruit. As a result, Laksa eventually moved to the United States to play NCAA Division I basketball with the South Florida Bulls, beginning a new chapter in her development.
Path to Basketball
Before reaching the international stage, Laksa progressed through the youth ranks in Latvia, competing in national championships and representing her country in European youth tournaments. These experiences gave her valuable exposure to high-level competition and helped her refine the perimeter skills that would later define her playing style.
Her standout performances at the youth level attracted the interest of college coaches in the United States. She committed to the University of South Florida, where she joined a competitive program in the American Athletic Conference. This move marked the beginning of her journey toward professional basketball and set the stage for a memorable collegiate career.
Kitija Laksa Career
Early Career (2014–2019)
Laksa began her NCAA career with the South Florida Bulls in 2014, and she quickly emerged as one of the most promising freshmen in the American Athletic Conference. In 2016, she was recognized as the AAC Freshman of the Year and earned a place on the AAC All-Freshman Team, honors that highlighted her scoring ability and confidence on the perimeter.
Her production continued to grow across her first three collegiate seasons, and she became known for her deep shooting range and willingness to take big shots in important moments. In November 2018, however, she suffered a serious knee injury that forced her to miss the remainder of her senior year. Despite the setback, Laksa decided to begin her professional career rather than return for a fifth collegiate season, signing with Latvian club TTT Riga in July 2019.
TTT Riga Era (2019–2023)
Joining TTT Riga marked Laksa’s entry into senior professional basketball, and she adapted quickly to the physical demands of the European game. Playing in the Latvian-Estonian Women’s Basketball League and in EuroLeague Women competitions, she developed into a reliable scoring option and gained experience against top international competition.
Her time with TTT Riga helped her sharpen her off-ball movement, defensive positioning, and consistency as a shooter. By the end of her run with the club in 2023, she had grown into a more complete player, ready for the next step in her career.
Fenerbahçe Era (2023–2024)
In 2023, Laksa signed with Fenerbahçe, one of the most decorated clubs in Turkish and European women’s basketball. Competing in the Women’s Basketball Super League and EuroLeague Women, she faced top-tier opponents on a regular basis and contributed as a rotation player with stretch-four capabilities.
The 2023–24 season was the most successful of her career to that point. Fenerbahçe won the EuroLeague Women championship, the Turkish Cup, and completed a Triple Crown. Laksa also added a FIBA Europe SuperCup Women title in 2023, further strengthening her list of team honors.
PF Schio Era (2024–2025)
After her achievements in Turkey, Laksa moved to Italian club PF Schio for the 2024–25 season. Playing in the Italian Serie A1 and EuroLeague Women, she continued to develop her game in a new tactical system and added another season of high-level experience to her résumé.
Her stint in Italy allowed her to refine her passing, defensive rotations, and consistency in half-court offense, preparing her for a long-awaited return to the WNBA.
Phoenix Mercury Era (2025–Present)
On 12 February 2025, Laksa signed a contract with the Phoenix Mercury, finally giving her an opportunity to play in the WNBA. On 21 May 2025, exactly five years after being drafted, she made her league debut against the Los Angeles Sparks. Coming off the bench in 23 minutes, she recorded 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in an 89–86 win.
Her debut performance was widely viewed as a milestone moment, both for Laksa personally and for Latvian women’s basketball, given the long path she had taken to reach the WNBA. She is expected to continue contributing as a versatile forward capable of spacing the floor and making plays for her teammates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Laksa’s most memorable milestone came on 21 May 2025, when she made her WNBA debut exactly five years after being drafted 11th overall by the Seattle Storm in 2020. She also became a EuroLeague Women champion in 2024 and a FIBA Europe SuperCup Women champion in 2023, achievements that underline her impact at the club level.
Kitija Laksa Career Wins
Kitija Laksa’s professional résumé includes a EuroLeague Women championship, a FIBA Europe SuperCup Women title, a Turkish Cup, and a Triple Crown, all earned during the 2023–24 season with Fenerbahçe. She was also named AAC Freshman of the Year and selected to the AAC All-Freshman Team in 2016 while at South Florida.
EuroLeague Women Highlights
Laksa’s top club achievement came in 2024, when Fenerbahçe won the EuroLeague Women championship. Her role as a stretch forward provided valuable spacing and scoring depth, helping the team capture one of the most prestigious titles in European women’s basketball.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her EuroLeague success, Laksa won the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women in 2023, the Turkish Cup in 2024, and was part of Fenerbahçe’s Triple Crown in 2024. She also competed in multiple seasons of EuroLeague Women with TTT Riga and PF Schio, gaining consistent exposure to elite-level competition throughout her European career.
Kitija Laksa Family
Personal Life
Kitija Laksa was raised in Riga, Latvia, and attended the Riga French Lycée before moving to the United States for college. Public details about her family life remain limited, and she tends to keep her personal relationships private. Her professional journey, including years spent playing abroad in Latvia, Turkey, and Italy, has been the primary focus of her public profile.
2025 Season Performance
Laksa’s 2025 season began with her long-anticipated signing with the Phoenix Mercury in February, followed by her WNBA debut on 21 May 2025. In her first game against the Los Angeles Sparks, she delivered an all-around performance with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals off the bench, signaling an encouraging start to her WNBA career.
Her role with the Mercury is expected to center on perimeter shooting, floor spacing, and secondary playmaking at the forward position. The team views her international experience and championship pedigree as valuable assets for a competitive roster.
With her WNBA debut now behind her, Laksa will look to build momentum through the remainder of the 2025 season and establish herself as a consistent contributor for Phoenix. Her journey from a highly regarded recruit in Latvia, through a decorated European career, to the WNBA stands as one of the more determined paths in recent women’s basketball history.