South Carolina senior forward Chloe Kitts will be sidelined for the entire 2025–26 season after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee, the program announced on Monday. The injury is a major setback for the Gamecocks, as Kitts was expected to play a significant role in Dawn Staley’s rotation this season.
The incident became public when Kitts was spotted on October 5 at South Carolina’s volleyball match against Georgia. She appeared alongside several of her teammates, using crutches and wearing a large brace on her right leg. At that point, no official statement had been made regarding her condition, leaving fans and media speculating about the severity of the injury.
After a week of uncertainty, the team and Kitts confirmed the ACL tear, ending any hope of her returning to the court this season. The Gamecocks described the announcement as “heartbreaking,” noting how vital Kitts’ leadership and energy have been both on and off the floor.
According to the university, surgery is scheduled for later this week, and Kitts will begin her rehabilitation immediately afterward. The coaching staff expressed full confidence in her recovery process, emphasizing their support for her throughout her comeback journey. Despite her absence, Kitts is expected to remain an active presence within the team as South Carolina begins its title defense.
South Carolina’s frontcourt depth has taken another major hit, as the team is now without two key forwards due to knee injuries. Earlier this year, Ashlyn Watkins suffered a torn ACL in January and decided to sit out the entire upcoming season to fully recover.
With Chloe Kitts now sidelined as well, head coach Dawn Staley faces the challenge of adjusting her rotation and lineup plans heading into the 2025–26 campaign. Both players were expected to play vital roles in the Gamecocks’ interior game, providing size, rebounding, and defensive strength.
Watkins and Kitts were also part of South Carolina’s championship-winning core, making their simultaneous absence especially significant. Their injuries leave the defending national champions with fewer experienced options in the post and force younger players to step up in their place.
As a result, South Carolina is down to just 10 healthy players on its active roster. Despite the setback, the Gamecocks remain confident in their depth and leadership, trusting that their remaining veterans and newcomers can help sustain their championship standards through another demanding season.
Before her injury, Chloe Kitts was widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, reflecting her steady rise as one of college basketball’s most versatile forwards. Known for her ability to stretch the floor and play multiple positions, Kitts was expected to be a cornerstone of South Carolina’s loaded frontcourt this season.
Her combination of size, skill, and shooting touch made her a matchup nightmare for opponents and a crucial piece of Dawn Staley’s offensive system. Entering her senior year, Kitts had established herself as both a reliable scorer and a strong rebounder capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor.
During the 2024–25 season, she averaged 10.2 points, a team-leading 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, emerging as one of South Carolina’s most consistent contributors. Her performances were instrumental in helping the Gamecocks capture another SEC Tournament title and make a deep run to the Final Four.
By season’s end, Kitts had cemented her status as one of the top forwards in the nation, blending experience with poise under pressure. Her absence for the upcoming campaign is expected to be deeply felt, both statistically and emotionally, within a team built around championship ambitions.
Before her injury, Chloe Kitts was widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, reflecting her steady rise as one of college basketball’s most versatile forwards. Known for her ability to stretch the floor and play multiple positions, Kitts was expected to be a cornerstone of South Carolina’s loaded frontcourt this season.
Her combination of size, skill, and shooting touch made her a matchup nightmare for opponents and a crucial piece of Dawn Staley’s offensive system. Entering her senior year, Kitts had established herself as both a reliable scorer and a strong rebounder capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor.
During the 2024–25 season she averaged 10.2 points, a team-leading 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, emerging as one of South Carolina’s most consistent contributors. Her performances were instrumental in helping the Gamecocks capture another SEC Tournament title and make a deep run to the Final Four.
By season’s end, Kitts had cemented her status as one of the top forwards in the nation, blending experience with poise under pressure. Her absence for the upcoming campaign is expected to be deeply felt, both statistically and emotionally, within a team built around championship ambitions.
The Gamecocks will look to Joyce Edwards to anchor the frontcourt in Kitts’ absence. Edwards, the team’s leading scorer last season, returns after earning first-team All-SEC and honorable mention All-America honors. Her scoring touch and defensive versatility will be critical as South Carolina adjusts to a thinner rotation.
Supporting her are Maryam Dauda and Adhel Tac, two former highly rated recruits who struggled to find consistency last year. Head coach Dawn Staley said both players had strong offseasons and are expected to take major steps forward in their second years wearing garnet and black. Their development will be crucial to maintaining the Gamecocks’ dominance in the paint.
South Carolina also bolstered its roster with the addition of Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Mississippi State. Okot was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal after averaging 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds last season. Her size, rebounding, and interior presence give Staley another reliable option down low, particularly important with Kitts and Watkins out.
Kitts’ journey with the Gamecocks began earlier than most. Originally a 2023 recruit, she enrolled early in December 2022, immediately showcasing her potential with 10 points and seven rebounds in her debut against Charleston Southern. After limited minutes as a freshman, she broke out as a sophomore starter, averaging 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds and delivering a memorable double-double in the national championship win over Iowa. Her rise from early enrollee to championship performer underscores how much she’ll be missed this season.
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