USF Women’s Basketball Star Kitija Laksa Named National Player of the Week

USF women’s basketball sharpshooter Kitija Laksa was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week for her 40-point outburst versus Southern University Friday night.

Laksa became just the second person in school history to score at least 40 points in a game and came just four points shy of breaking Shantia Grace’s record. Laksa did not play in the fourth quarter.

The 6’0” junior from Latvia missed her first three point attempt of the night before sinking an NCAA record 11-straight threes to pace the Bulls in the 108-48 beat down of the Jaguars.

Laksa has raised her game to a new level against a very tough non-conference slate so far this year and averaging 23 PPG while shooting over 46% from long distance. She shot 38% from three last season.

Laksa has some players on the men’s team in awe of her performance.

“I felt kinda intimidated. Every time I see her in the training room, I wanna ask her for tips,” gaurd Payton Banks said Monday night. “That was unbelievable. I’ve never seen somebody go through the whole game like that and not miss.”

Laksa will hope the hot shooting (forgetting about FIU) continues as the Bulls are in the Big Easy as part of the New Orleans Shootout. They will face the University of Dayton tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. and then Michigan State Thursday also at 8:30 p.m. before heading back to Tampa.