ROANOKE, Va. \u2013 The Golden State Valkyries have signed rookie center Liz Kitley to a seven-day hardship contract, the team announced Wednesday, stepping in while guard Tiffany Hayes remains sidelined with a knee injury.<\/p>\n
Kitley, a 6-foot-6 former Virginia Tech standout and three-time ACC Player of the Year, was selected 24th overall in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces. She spent the 2024 season rehabilitating from a torn ACL suffered in the final collegiate game of her Hokies career. <\/p>\n
Kitley made her WNBA debut this year, appearing in 12 games\u2014starting once\u2014and averaging 8.2 minutes, contributing 1.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game before being waived by Las Vegas in late June to clear roster space following a trade for forward NaLyssa Smith.<\/p>\n
Statistical snapshot for the Aces (2025):<\/p>\n
12 games played, 1 start<\/p>\n
8.2 minutes per game, 1.3 points, 1.4 rebounds<\/p>\n
Field-goal percentage: 30.4% (7-for-23)<\/p>\n
Her most notable performance came in late May against the Seattle Storm, when she scored a then-career-high 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in just 16 minutes\u2014a showing that provided hope of expanded playing time.<\/p>\n
Coach Becky Hammon praised her development, noting that she was \u201cgetting better every time,\u201d while emphasizing that post players often take time to adjust to the WNBA\u2019s speed and physicality, especially coming off a major injury.<\/p>\n
Following the trade, Kitley became an unrestricted free agent, with multiple teams reportedly interested in her services. <\/p>\n
At Virginia Tech, Kitley left a stellar legacy: ACC record-holder for rebounds (1,506), double-doubles (76), and the Hokies\u2019 all-time leader in points (2,709), minutes played, games started, and many other categories. Her No. 33 jersey was retired in a ceremony at Cassell Coliseum on Jan. 19, 2025.<\/p>\n
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