You’ve seen the highlights of Raven Johnson’s court vision or MiLaysia Fulwiley’s ankle-breaking crossovers, but if you’re actually watching the film, there is one name that keeps the South Carolina engine humming.
Chloe Kitts.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how overlooked she was during her first year. Most people just saw a freshman who enrolled early and stayed on the bench. But then 2024 happened. And 2025 happened. Suddenly, the 6-foot-2 forward from Oviedo, Florida, wasn't just a role player; she was the most consistent, versatile weapon in Dawn Staley’s arsenal.
The Chloe Kitts South Carolina Story: From Early Enrollee to MVP
Back in late 2022, Chloe Kitts made a choice that most 17-year-olds would find terrifying. She basically said "no thanks" to her senior year of high school at DME Academy and moved to Columbia in the middle of the season.
It was a bold move.
She wasn't looking for immediate stardom. She wanted to learn. She spent that first half-season absorbing the culture of the most dominant program in women’s college basketball. It paid off. Big time. By the time the 2023-24 season rolled around, Kitts had transformed into a starter who could do, well, everything.
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She can guard a point guard on the perimeter. She can bang with 6-foot-7 centers in the paint. Staley often talks about her "tenacity," and you see it every time she tracks down an offensive rebound.
The 2025 Breakout and the SEC Tournament Takeover
If you want to know why Chloe Kitts South Carolina is a name every WNBA scout has circled, just look at the 2025 SEC Tournament.
She didn't just play well. She dominated.
Kitts walked away with the SEC Tournament MVP trophy after putting up numbers that seemed almost quiet because of how efficiently she plays. We're talking about a career-high 25 points and 10 boards against Vanderbilt. She followed that up by nearly putting up a double-double in the title game against Texas.
She makes the game look easy.
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- Elite Efficiency: She finished the season shooting over 52% from the floor.
- Triple-Double Threat: Remember that game at Ole Miss in February 2025? She became only the ninth player in program history to record a triple-double (16 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists).
- Glass Eater: She led the team in rebounding, averaging 7.7 per game.
But then, the news no Gamecock fan wanted to hear broke in October 2025.
Dealing With the ACL Tear: What Happens Now?
It’s heartbreaking, really. Just as Kitts was entering her senior year as a projected first-round WNBA pick, she tore her ACL in her right knee. She’s out for the 2025-26 season.
Dawn Staley was pretty blunt about it: they "hate this for Chloe." But if you know anything about Kitts, you know she isn't just going to sit in a corner and pout. She’s already transitioned into a "sideline coach" role.
While South Carolina has incredible depth—names like Joyce Edwards and transfer Madina Okot are going to have to carry the load—there is a Chloe-sized hole in the lineup. You can't easily replace a player who knows every defensive rotation and can hit a midrange jumper with a hand in her face.
Why the WNBA Still Wants Her
Injuries are scary, but modern medicine is basically magic.
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Kitts has the size and the IQ that professional teams crave. She’s not just a "post player." She’s a modern forward. She can facilitate from the high post, run the floor in transition, and she has a high-release jumper that is almost impossible to block.
Most experts still expect her to be a high pick whenever she decides to enter the draft, whether that's after a medical redshirt year or straight from rehab.
Actionable Insights for Gamecock Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the Gamecocks this season or keeping an eye on Chloe Kitts' recovery, here is what you need to watch for:
- Watch the Frontcourt Rotation: With Kitts out, keep an eye on how Dawn Staley uses Joyce Edwards. Edwards has a similar versatility, and seeing how she fills Kitts' minutes will tell you a lot about the team's ceiling.
- Follow the Recovery Milestones: ACL rehab usually takes 9-12 months. Watch for updates on her "return to court" activities in early summer 2026.
- WNBA Draft Stock: Keep an eye on the "Big Board" rankings. Many analysts are keeping Kitts in the first round despite the injury because her 2024-25 tape is just that good.
Chloe Kitts might be on the sidelines for now, but her impact on the South Carolina program is already set in stone. She’s a national champion, an MVP, and the heart of a team that doesn't know how to lose. The comeback story is already being written.
Check the South Carolina athletics page for the most recent updates on her surgery and rehab progress to see when she might be back in the building.