Kitijia Laksa of USF was named the National Freshman of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) on Tuesday afternoon. Laksa is the second player from The American to be honored by the USBWA this season. Senior Breanna Stewart was named the National Player of the Week last Tuesday.
 
Laksa averaged 25.3 points per game and shot 26-of-50 from the field, including 17-of-27 from long range, in a 2-1 week for the Bulls. The freshman poured in 38 points in an 83-56 win against SMU on Wednesday evening. The 38-point performance is the second-most points in a single game in USF and American Athletic Conference history. Laksa also produced 21 points against UCF on Monday and finished the week with 17 points and six rebounds against the top-ranked Huskies over the weekend.
 
Through 14 games this season, Laksa is tied for second in the conference in 3-point field goals made per game (2.4) and is third in 3-point field goal percentage (.415). The native of Latvia has started in three games for the Bulls and is third on the team with 12.1 points per game.